The Minnesota report caught the ears of the folks at AOPA headquarters in Maryland, and Phil Boyer, AOPA president, promptly sent off a letter to Heffelfinger. “We respectfully believe that your quotes, if reported accurately, reflect significant misunderstanding about aviation security, and, in fact, are not consistent with the views and policies of the U.S. agencies responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the nation’s general aviation airports,” Boyer said. Boyer noted that a report last year by the federal Government Accountability Office concluded that “the small size, lack of fuel capacity, and minimal destructive power of most general aviation aircraft make them unattractive to terrorists.” AOPA tried to speak directly with Heffelfinger about the issues, but had not succeeded as of late last week.
…AOPA Responds To Concerns…
Key Takeaways:
- AOPA President Phil Boyer challenged statements from a Minnesota official, Heffelfinger, regarding aviation security, asserting they reflected a significant misunderstanding.
- Boyer stated that Heffelfinger's views were inconsistent with the policies and perspectives of U.S. agencies responsible for general aviation airport security.
- AOPA supported its position by referencing a federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that deemed most general aviation aircraft "unattractive to terrorists."
- AOPA had attempted to engage in direct discussion with Heffelfinger about these security concerns but had not succeeded.
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