CAF Questions the Logic of TSA's LASP at Congressional General Aviation Round Table

MIDLAND, TX -- Commemorative Air Force (CAF) President and CEO Stephan Brown met last week with Congressional lawmakers to discuss the concerns of vintage historical military aircraft operators and General Aviation over the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA's) proposed Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP).

U.S. Representative Sam Graves (R-6-MO) invited Brown and other industry association representatives to talk with members of Congress about the impact the TSA's controversial LASP proposal could have on the operators of vintage historical military aircraft.

"Although the impact on business aviation and small companies is profound, the impact upon 501c3 non-profit organizations, such as CAF is also very damaging," says Brown. "We wanted the members of Congress to understand how detrimental this program could be to our member-volunteers as well as other vintage aviation organizations across the country.

"Representative Graves and all of the Congressional members present nodded in agreement when I spoke of the thousands of man hours and millions of dollars donated by our members to keeping our proud aircraft heroes flying, so that future generations could understand the sacrifice made by American men and women in the defense of our country."

Representative Graves pointed out the dramatic impact that this rule could have upon the income brought to small communities around the country by local air shows, from a large scale event such as EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI, to smaller community based events, such as FINA-CAF AIRSHO in Midland, TX.

Other facets of general aviation would be dramatically impacted by the LASP, as evidenced by testimony from other industry associations such as National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA).

"We are hopeful that the TSA would not develop security measures, involving aviation, without including general aviation associations to help them understand the impact upon and the specific needs of this industry." says Brown. "We will continue to raise our concerns with lawmakers and the new Administration."

Along with Rep. Graves, Rep. Lynn A. Westmoreland (R-3-GA), Rep. Thomas Petri (R-6-WI) and Rep. Tiahrt (R-4-KS) participated in this roundtable. All involved were greatly concerned and vowed to work towards establishing communication with the TSA.

For more information visit www.commemorativeairforce.org.