Phyrfight Intel

General Aviation is NOT A ‘WEAPON OF MASS EFFECT,’ AOPA SAYS

AOPA made it clear to yet another government agency last week that general aviation airplanes are not so-called weapons of mass effect. AOPA was invited to address the Homeland Security Advisory Council Weapons of Mass Effect Prevention Task Force. The group is charged with designing defenses to prevent large-scale weapons (such as large bombs or nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons) from entering the United States. AOPA educated the task force about general aviation, using facts, figures, and graphics from the association’s GA Serving America Web site ( http://www.gaservingamerica.org ). “I explained again that most general aviation aircraft don’t have the size or carrying capacity to make an effective weapon,” said Andy Cebula, AOPA senior vice president of government and technical affairs. “And I reiterated all of the steps we’ve taken since 9/11 to improve the security of our aircraft and airports.”