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Sept. 16--General aviation pilots are still unhappy about a new ban on driving their vehicles to their parked aircraft at Yuma International Airport.
Col. Robert Kuckuk, who became the new commander of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in May, said he understands their frustration as a general aviator himself. However, as the one responsible for the security of the airfield and with the F-35 Joint Striker Fighter coming, he can't bend the rules.
"My position on POVs (personally owned vehicles) is no POV past the perimeter fence for anyone, and that includes me," Kuckuk told the pilots during the monthly Yuma County Airport Authority meeting this week. "I'm responsible for the military side and there's no barrier between it and the GA and commercial side."
Kuckuk sympathized with the GA pilots who want to use their vehicles to ferry baggage, families and tool boxes to their parked aircraft.
"But as the person who is responsible for the security of the air field, especially the military side, I have to say no. It has nothing to do with the trust of the GA community. There's just too many threats out there."
In the past there was a more relaxed policy about GA pilots driving their vehicles out to their aircraft, but things have changed on the military side that require more security, Kuckuk said.
What's different, he said, is that MCAS now has new special program hangars built for the arrival of the F-35, the new Joint Strike Fighter jet that will be based at the air station.
"That changes the rules of our security posture," he said. "That must be maintained. My stand has to be greater ... anyone coming through the gate has become more of a threat."
Kuckuk was quick to add, though, that he wasn't saying no to all vehicles inside the perimeter. But any vehicles on the air field need to be clearly marked so the tower can quickly and easily recognize them as being authorized to be there, he said.
Perhaps, he suggested, some marked and authorized vehicles, such as golf carts, could be made available for the use by GA pilots.
In an effort to find a compromise, Craig Williams, airport manger, had suggested establishing a "hangar drive way" for limited vehicular access area to the hangars in an area identified by a double yellow line beyond which personal vehicles would not be allowed.
"The yellow line doesn't concern me," Kuckuk responded. "It's our ability to stop people who go beyond it and their ability to do harm to the commercial area or my side of the air field. I would rather not have a situation in the first place than have to deal with it."
Joyce Lobeck can be reached at [email protected] or 539-6853.
