"Airport, tenants taking security concerns seriously"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Friday, May 11, 2007

Airport, tenants taking security concerns seriously 
Our View: County airport flying in right direction on security 
The Montgomery County (TX) Courier


The disturbing story of six alleged terrorists and their plans to attack
U.S. soldiers at Fort Dix shows that the threat of terrorism on American
soil is still very real.

In light of the alleged plot, it makes perfect sense that officials at the
Lone Star Executive Airport are contemplating additional security measures.

But even as a Transportation Safety Administration report shows, there is no
one-size-fits-all security plan for general aviation airports like Lone Star
- nor should there be.

In its 2004 report titled ''Security Guidelines for General Aviation
Airports,'' the TSA offers some general guidelines, but acknowledges that
one security proposal ''will not fit the entire spectrum of GA airports.''

On the other hand, as the Lone Star airport continues to develop, with the
addition of a control tower and expansion of air traffic, tenants -
including more corporate aircraft - the risk of becoming a target increases.
Again, as the report states, ''as vulnerabilities within other areas of
aviation have been reduced, general aviation may be perceived as a more
attractive target and consequently more vulnerable to misuse by
terrorists.''

Thus the need for additional security measures, like fencing, access control
devices for vehicle and pedestrian gates, daily airfield inspections and
other measures sufficient to deal with threats ranging from terrorism to
petty crime.

Lone Star is in the midst of developing additional security, and there's
more to come, said Airport Director Jeff Bilyeu. ''We're doing things that
we think are appropriate; we're always looking at the needs of our tenants
and their needs and desires.'' Security fencing is one place to start.
Currently, the airport is waiting on county funding for an $800,000 project
to improve security measures. Some airport tenants, such as Wing Aviation
and General Aviation, have taken some of their own steps to increase
security as well.

The TSA report mentioned above does outline a range of measures based on an
airport's unique features, and Lone Star meets a number of the criteria that
would suggest measures like security fencing. Lone Star officials need to
ensure the airport is staying abreast of the latest suggestions for airport
security. So far, it seems headed in the right direction. 

   Post your opinion on this story in the CAA General Aviation Forum
http://www.californiaaviation.org/dcfp/dcboard.php

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