Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports
The Transportation Security Administration has just released new ” Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports” The purpose of the Security Guideline for General Aviation Airport information publication is to provide owners, operator, sponsor, and other entities charged with oversight of GA airport a set of federally endorsed security enhancements and a method for determining when and where these enhancement may be appropriate. The document does not contain regulatory language nor is it intended to suggest that any recommendations or guidelines should be considered a mandatory requirement. This document was developed in collaboration with virtually all the groups and associations which represent general aviation. The guideline, represent a commonsense approach to protecting your airport. I urge you to obtain a copy of this document from either the Transportation Security Administration (www.tsa.gov) or our office (www.dot.state.tx.us) and use it to better ensure the security of your airport. By following these guidelines, we may be able to avoid mandatory regulation, which could be costly and difficult to implement.
Use of Non-Primary Entitlement Funding for Hangars and Fuel Facilities
As I reported in the February/March edition of WINGTIPS, the new FAA grant program permits non-primary entitlement funding for hangars and fuel facilities if all other airfield needs have been met. We continue to receive a large number of requests for funding of hangars and fuel facilities. However. we will have to continue to delay responding to those requests until we receive clear guidance from FAA on criteria for eligibility. Once we receive direction from the FAA, we will notify those interested at the earliest possible time. As an aside, although the new non-primary entitlement funding has understandably become a very popular program, it has had a negative impact on the funds remaining each year for large capital improvement project. As a result, it will be necessary to use non-primary entitlement funding as a part of the funding package for upcoming large capital improvement projects in most instances.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Selects New Regional Representative for Texas
Shelly Lesikar from Houston is the new AOPA field representative for Texas. She “grew up” on the West Houston Airport owned by her father and has been actively involved in general aviation for several years. Shelly is an active pilot with college degrees from both the University of Texas and Texas A&M. I had the opportunity to visit with Shelly recently and feel she will be an outstanding resource for general aviation pilot, and aircraft owner, in Texas. Welcome Shelly!!!
