EAA says it’s pressuring the Transportation Security Administration to lift the “shroud of mystery” on its implementation of new security requirements for GA pilots at commercial airports after an attempt at clarity misfired last week. On Wednesday, EAA published a list of 454 airports supplied by the TSA that have commercial service and would theoretically be subject to directive #1542-04-08G (SD-8G). AVweb wrote a story and carried a link to the list. However, representatives of some of the airports on that list were surprised (and annoyed) to see themselves on the list. EAA says some airports have been able to avoid implementation of the rule, because they’ve created their own security plan that meets TSA requirements. That’s created inconsistent regulation and added to the frustration over the security plan, which EAA says the TSA is reluctant to provide details about.
“Getting specific information from TSA has been difficult on this matter, as implementation of the security directive is up to the individual airport,” EAA said in a notice on its Web site Friday after AVweb let them know about the concerns of several airport managers. “EAA’s concerns about the directive include an eventual patchwork of local rules, passes and security measures that would add burdens and costs to pilots, as well as additional requirements that would restrict GA activity at those airports.” For now, EAA suggests pilots planning to fly to unfamiliar airports call ahead and find out about any special security requirements. In the meantime, EAA says it will be trying to get more clarity from the TSA on this directive.
