Industry News

INDUSTRY GROUPS CONCERNED ABOUT TSA/FAA RULING

General aviation representatives, most notably the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Assn., are expressing concern about "direct final rules" published in late January by the Transportation Security Administration and FAA that permit TSA to revoke or refuse an airman certificate to anyone it deems as a threat to transportation security. The rules, which include an appeal process, were immediately put into effect.

CONGRESS PASSES FUNDING BILL ...

Funding for the FAA and TSA for FY2002 was finally approved by Congress in late February, targeting $13.6 billion for FAA and $5.2 billion for TSA’s civil aviation services. The Airport Improvement Program will receive $3.4 billion for the year, a $100 million increase. The funding for ’02 had been handled through continuing resolutions until passage of the omnibus spending bill.

The aviation industry, meanwhile, is gearing up for a new authorization process to begin in FY2003, with the intent of securing more than a one-year package.

... WHILE SECURITY COSTS REMAIN A QUESTION

Despite finally having an aviation and TSA funding bill passed for the rest of FY2002, questions and concerns remain among industry groups about how airport security is going to be funded. It is projected that TSA will face as much as a $3 billion shortfall and aviation reps worry that the AIP fund will be forced to make up the difference. Also in question will be how the recent transfer of TSA from DOT to the new Department of Homeland Security will impact funding. Passenger security fees are expected to generate only $1.7 billion in 2003 and 2004, according to DOT Inspector General Kenneth Mead.

ASIDES

’WOW DESIGN’ AT FLL

Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport recently unveiled its $53 million "electronic" concourse, host to nine state of the art gates, five occupied by South-west. It features large plasma screen televisions, aquariums, and artwork designed to reflect the flavor of South Florida. Videos feature Ever-glades and oceanic wildlife, while airplane sculptures hang from the 30-foot ceiling. The concourse is part of a $1.2 billion, 20-year expansion program, much of which will be overseen by URS Corporation.

ASI RELEASES TRAVEL SECURITY CHECKLIST

Houston-based Air Security International offers tips for personnel that travel internationally and who may be out of country if war breaks out in Iraq. ASI says countries of concern include Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Syria, Lebanon, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Egypt. Companies are advised to relocate personnel from these areas if war breaks out.

Says ASI, "Regardless of the region, the nationality and religion of an employee should be taken into consideration."

For details, visit www.airsecurity.com.

WHAT’S IN AN AIRPORT NAME? MAYBE $$$

Officials of Barnstable, MA, are reportedly considering a proposal by Buzzmarketing to sell naming rights for the city-owned airport, Barnstable Municipal. The marketing firm has reportedly told city officials that naming rights could net as much as $1 million. Barnstable Municipal is where former President George Bush learned to fly with the U.S. Navy.

IN MEMORIAM - AEA FOUNDER CHUCK PEACOCK

Charles ’Chuck’ Peacock, 87, the founder of the Aircraft Electronics Association, based in Independence, MO, passed away in December. In 1956, Peacock coordinated the founding of AEA at a meeting of the Airline Electronic Engineering Committee in Minneapolis.

BRIEFINGS ...

AAAE–American Assn. of Airport Executives names Tom Greer, A.A.E., assistant GM of the Monterey Penin-sula (CA) Airport District, to fill the unexpired term of Jerry Olson as chair of the association ... AAAE also establishes the Jerry Olson Scholarships in memory of the Cheyenne, WY, director, who died Jan. 19. Meanwhile, AAAE and ACI-NA charge TSA with diverting some $500 million of $738 million targeted by Congress for explosives detection system modifications at airports; groups charge money was paid to Boeing for other services.