CAA: GA News, "TSA to Develop Hotline and Centralized Reporting System for AOPA's Airport Watch Program"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Wednesday, October 9, 2002

TSA to Develop Hotline and Centralized Reporting System for AOPA's
Airport Watch Program
Press Release


WASHINGTON, /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) has partnered with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association (AOPA) to develop a nationwide aviation watch system. Key to
the program will be a toll-free hotline and a centralized system for
reporting and acting on information supplied by general aviation pilots.

AOPA's Airport Watch will enlist the support of some 550,000 general
aviation pilots to watch for and report suspicious activities that might
have security implications. The hotline will be formally launched in
December 2002.

"We appreciate AOPA's proactive approach to enhance security for the
general aviation community," said Acting Under Secretary of
Transportation for Security Adm. James M. Loy. "It makes sense that the
world's largest civil aviation organization would offer their expertise
for the collective effort in the war on terrorism."

"Who better to know what's normal and what's suspicious at a local
airport than the people who spend a lot of time there?" said AOPA
President Phil Boyer. " Airport Watch is designed to work like the
highly successful neighborhood watch programs used in communities across
the country."

Many airports have already begun their own airports watches, frequently
in conjunction with local law enforcement. To build on the success of
these local efforts, the program will include special materials,
including a video, to train pilots to be alert for sinister people or
activities on the airport.

AOPA will distribute Airport Watch materials to the 5,400 public-use
airports in the nation, pilot groups and individual pilots. The program
will show pilots what to watch for, and offers commonsense steps that
individual citizen pilots can take to enhance the security of their
airports and their aircraft.

"General aviation airports are very much like small towns or
neighborhoods," said Boyer. "Everyone knows everyone. People who don't
fit in to the normal course of airport activities are noticed.

"When pilots band together, we become a dynamic network of watchdogs for
what is happening at our airports, Boyer said. "It makes sense. AOPA's
Airport Watch will be a powerful weapon in the arsenal against
terrorism."

"Airport Watch is a mutually beneficial program that allows America's
dedicated general aviation pilots to remain vigilant and focused as they
serve our country and the security challenges we face," said Loy.

The 385,000-member Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has been
representing the interests of general aviation pilots since 1939.
General aviation includes all flying except the scheduled airlines and
the military. More than two-thirds of the nation's pilots, and
three-quarters of the aircraft owners, are AOPA members.

The Transportation Security Administration, born out of the terrorist
attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, is responsible for discovering, preventing
and dealing with threats to transportation security. TSA protects the
nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people
and commerce.


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