The Transport Canada Airport Security Working Group has been
studying additional measures in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks.
A final report has been produced, including 21 recommendations, the bulk of
which concern passenger terminal building security.
Some of the recommendations involve further work to be done, such as development
of a national security pass, and how to deal with passengers who go through an
FBO, have not been resolved.
But the measure introduced by COPA’s President, Kevin Psutka, in October 2001
(see the President’s Corner, Canadian Flight February 2002 or latest TC Aviation
Safety Letter), to address general aviation has been adopted in the following
recommendation:
“General Aviation security measures for flight schools and fixed base operators,
which are voluntary in the United States and have been adopted in the United
States, be considered for adoption in Canada, and that those measures which can
be implemented immediately be identified.”
The measures are practical and common sense that every pilot, aircraft owner and
industry worker should consider. Some members of the Working Group want the
measures to be more than voluntary. To ensure that these measures are effective
and that additional and perhaps unworkable measures are not necessary, COPA
members are encouraged to be vigilant. If nothing more, it helps the comfort
level of the general public, some of whom still harbour the notion, thanks to
the media, that all small aircraft are potential bombs that can topple tall
buildings, destroy nuclear power plants, etc.