Boyer says the government hasn’t even made the case for the temporary restrictions, let alone creating permanent ones. “No general aviation aircraft has ever been used in a terrorist attack,” Boyer said. “And the government has determined that not a single ADIZ violation was terrorist-related.” He said the ADIZ is “operationally unworkable” and the FAA has neither justified the permanent zone, nor addressed the operational problems. He said GA-friendly alternatives have been presented, but those have apparently been ignored with this proposal. AOPA has proposed that small, slow aircraft be allowed to operate without the flightplan and transponder requirements now in place because they lack the mass or cargo capacity to cause serious damage. However, federal security officials have repeatedly stated that their intelligence suggests that small aircraft have been considered for use in terror attacks.
…Effects On GA
Key Takeaways:
- General aviation advocates criticize proposed permanent ADIZ restrictions, arguing the government has not justified them as no GA aircraft has ever been used in a terrorist attack, nor have ADIZ violations been terror-related.
- Critics contend the ADIZ is "operationally unworkable," and the FAA has failed to address operational problems or consider GA-friendly alternatives, such as exempting small, slow aircraft.
- Federal security officials, however, maintain that intelligence suggests small aircraft have been considered for use in terror attacks, despite the lack of past incidents involving GA aircraft.
See a mistake? Contact us.
