CAA: GA News, "California's Orange County airports have reputation for security"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thursday, January 10, 2002

O.C. airports have reputation for security 
Measures to prevent plane thefts re-evaluated after Tampa crash last
weekend. 
By ERIC CARPENTER
The Orange County (CA) Register 


Security measures at Orange County's two general-aviation airfields
seriously obstruct a potential terrorist's ability to use a plane
without authorization, making them models for other small airports,
local and national experts said.

Saturday's small-plane crash into a Tampa, Fla., bank building - an
eerie reminder of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks - prompted officials at
Fullerton Municipal and John Wayne airports to re-evaluate security at
their airfields.

But the risk here is low, additional security would be costly and
significant change is unlikely and unnecessary, the officials said.

Fullerton and John Wayne - both of which serve private and recreational
small planes - have in recent years stepped up airfield security,
including adding more gates and security cameras.

The result for both airports is a strong reputation for safety in a
region known for ease in gaining unauthorized access to small planes.

Last year, nine of the 15 recorded plane thefts nationwide occurred in
California, including thefts in San Bernardino, Corona, Redlands and
Temecula.

None was reported in Orange County, where almost 1,000 planes are based.

Orange County hasn't always had that reputation. In 1999, Fullerton had
four plane thefts - more than any other airfield in the nation.

It prompted the airport to improve security fencing and lighting, limit
airfield access to people with coded punch cards and install security
cameras.

Since then: no thefts.

"Criminals don't like the light, and they don't like to be recorded,"
said Fullerton Airport Manager Rod Propst.

John Wayne also has cameras and requires all pilots to enter through a
security gate staffed by the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

"I haven't heard of any incidents at John Wayne in at least 10 years. If
you're looking for a success story in terms of security, that's it,"
said Robert Collins, president of the Aviation Crime Prevention
Institute, a Maryland-base nonprofit airplane-security advisory group.

Collins said other general-aviation airports would benefit from similar
security.

Pilots also have helped secure the industry by changing standard door
locks and adding locked panels over their instruments.

In 1980, 241 planes were stolen nationwide. Last year, there were 15.

Still, it can be harder to control pilots who have access to runways.
Saturday's Florida crash involved a 15-year-old flight student who took
off without permission for an apparent suicide flight.

"We have a lengthy and rigorous program for releasing keys to pilots,"
said Bill Griggs Sr., president of AFI flight school at Fullerton
Airport. "But at some point, it comes down to trust."

Aviation experts said small planes pose relatively low risk for causing
big damage.

"You can see what a Cessna did to that building in Tampa; not much
damage there," Collins said.

Griggs said he is interested in continuing to tighten security where
needed, but not because of terrorism.

"I'm much more worried about the threat of a thief than a terrorist," he
said.


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