Small Airports Are Secure By Their Nature

General Aviation airports are like suburban neighborhoods. At a General Aviation airport, rows of homes are replaced with rows of airplanes — most no heavier than a Honda Civic. Neighbors know neighbors, and everyone does their part to ensure the security of their airplane as well as the security of their neighbor’s airplane.

Since September 11, 2001, pilots and others at airports have stepped up their vigilance and reported suspicious activities to authorities through AOPA’s Airport Watch program, created with an around-the-clock telephone hotline answered by federal authorities (1-866-GA-SECURE or 1-866-427-3287). General aviation airports also follow voluntary federal guidelines to enhance security. An AOPA survey of airports across the nation found that moste had taken action appropriate to the facility, including such things as the implementation of ID checks, improved fencing, and the stationing of law enforcement personnel on the field.

Hijackers Are Not Likely to Gain Access To A GA Aircraft

General aviation aircraft are used for personal and business transportation, just like a family automobile. Unlike an airline pilot, the pilot of a General Aviation aircraft knows every individual passenger on the flight and what they are carrying. Personal knowledge is the most effective security.

GA Aircraft Are Not Often Stolen

An aircraft is a high-value item. Even a simple, 30-year-old aircraft can be worth $40,000 or more. Aircraft owners take precautions to protect that investment. The number of GA aircraft stolen is down sharply since the General Aviation community has taken steps to enhance security. In 2007, only one US-registered GA aircraft was reported stolen.

TSA General Aviation Airport Security Guidelines

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	Click to read or right-click to download the DHS’s Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports (PDF)

The Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration’s Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports provides municipalities, owners, operators, sponsors, and other entities charged with oversight of General Aviation airports with a set of federally-endorsed recommendations to enhance security. The TSA’s guidance provides nationwide consistency with regard to security at General Aviation facilities, as well as a rational method for determining when and where these enhancements may be appropriate based upon the operational profile of differing airports. The guidelines offer an extensive list of options, ideas, suggestions, and proven best practices for the municipality, airport operator, sponsor, tenant and/or user to choose from when considering security enhancements. The TSA’s guidelines are updated and modified as new security enhancements are developed and as input from the General Aviation community is received.