FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2005
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Senator John Rafferty Addresses Security Concerns at Local Airports

(Harrisburg, PA)  State Senator John Rafferty, Jr. (R-44), attended a General Aviation Airport Security Task Force Meeting yesterday to discuss the possibility of strengthening security measures at local airfields. 

Yesterday's task force meeting, held at the Department of Transportation, was an outgrowth from questions Senator Rafferty posed to Transportation Secretary Allen Biehler  during the Senate Appropriations Committee Budget Hearings held earlier this year. 

The General Aviation Security Task Force is comprised of representatives from various federal, state, and local agencies, including officials from the Transportation Safety Administration, FAA, PA Office of Homeland Security, and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. The Task Force also includes representatives from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association along with officials from several of Pennsylvania's international and regional airports. 

"I am particularly concerned over what is being done to secure our more vulnerable regional airports and local airfields from being breached by an individual or individuals looking to steal small aircraft to do harm.  My interest has grown out of having four general aviation airports in my district.  People have expressed some understandable concern and want to know that we are doing all we can to make sure these airfields are secure", Rafferty said. 

In March 2003, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, in coordination with the New Jersey Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force, directed airport facility owners in that state to implement a regulation that would require aircraft owners using their facility to secure their planes with a two-lock system if the aircraft is to be out of use for more than 24 hours. Currently, there is no law in Pennsylvania requiring aircraft owners to secure their planes with any type of locking system while their plane is not in use. 

"I plan to explore the requirement the State of New Jersey has implemented in regards to a two-lock system for aircraft.  Simple measures such as requiring a throttle lock or propeller chain or even requiring a pilot to lock a cockpit door can certainly be an effective deterrent in reducing the probability of the theft of that plane", Rafferty said. 

CONTACT:  SEAN MOLL (717) 783-0192