The Airport Master Plan Update is apparently in the hands of the consultant RS&H Consulting in Jacksonville being finalized for submission to the FAA and Florida DOT in Orlando for their review. Exactly when that will occur is anyone’s guess.

We were successful in getting a one month delay so the Airport Authority could review more thoroughly the Plan Update. That gave us the time to submit additional letters identifying safety issues. It gave us time also to get more letters from many of you. All have all been sent to the Board members as well as AOPA..

On Wednesday, May 12, the consultant gave the Authority members a more complete briefing than the previous one in April. Unfortunately, during that briefing, it became clear that apparently no consideration was given to input and recommendations they received from general aviation. The Plan remains as it was before.. General aviation on the north side and the International Terminal eventually continuing on to the west and across runway 5/23.... All depending on - if International traffic arrives...

After the briefing to the Board members, we cornered the consultant and during those questions it also became clear, he has his marching orders. He said, "There will be no changes"

That same Wednesday, we learned that FIT Aviation threw in the towel.. They have committed to a move to the north side after apparently receiving an eviction notice in April. We’ve been advised they will locate into to the AJC hangar once some remodeling is complete. Once moved, they will no longer sell fuel and we believe they will not do any commercial maintenance. In other words, out of the FBO business.

Our efforts have already begun in dealing with both the FAA and FDOT in Orlando.. Their function is to review the Plan Update... Assuming they concur with the proposed changes to the Update, those offices approve money for construction as the Plan unfolds.. The airport must meet certain conditions for each of the steps, so to speak. For example, air carrier traffic must increase to certain levels before federal or state money is provided for many things. In this case, overseas flights will that require Customs at the International Terminal area. Therefore, it may be years before we might see 5/23 closed.

FUEL SALES

The AOPA’s Regional representative, Nelson Rhodes, spoke at the last Authority meeting. He urged the Authority to review the airports’ "minimum standards" rule to allow FBO competition on the field. The following day, airport management began that effort. What the final results of that will be, we have no idea. A number of us have offered to participate with airport management in that review. We’ve not heard a thing from the Airport. It worth noting, airport management was forced to do something about the "minimum standards" because AJC does not and never has met those standards. So, when FIT stopped fuel, maintenance and their Part 135 operation, the airport was faced with an "exclusive rights" violation. Particularly since the FBO remaining (AJC) did not meet the standards...

Bottom line to the fuel... There could be a period of time after FIT moves that the only fuel available on the airport will be AJC... However, sooner or later there should be at least one additional FBO selling fuel.. Don’t expect the FBO to be on the south side... The Director eventually wants all general aviation out of the south side come hell or high water... Except South Brevard Aviation and Harris... Remember, the south side T-hangar residents have only 30 day leases... He’s also said "no self-service."

SAFETY HAZARDS with all general aviation forced to the north side of the airport...

PERFORMANCE MIX... The increase in the mix of light and training traffic with high performance turbojet traffic to the east and west in the arrival/departure corridors for the parallels. The loss of 5/23 will triple traffic on the north parallel.. Currently about 40,000 annually. Based on today traffic it will increase to 120,000 annually. This will add to wake turbulence hazards both near the approach end as well as setting up on final well away from the airport.

WAKE TURBULENCE. The parallels are 1,400 feet apart. FAA cautions about the hazards of wake turbulence when the runways are less that 2,500 feet apart.. The VFR Tower does not provide separation based upon wake turbulence for separate runways... They provide cautionary advisories only when they believe necessary... "Traffic, MD-88 landing runway 9R, caution wake turbulence cleared to land 9L" is what you may hear... More that likely you will not hear an cautionary advisory using another runway.

CROSSWIND HAZARDS. There have been five documented lost of control accidents on the parallels in the past 26 months. Only ONE was a student pilot... At least two were well-qualified pilots. They just lost it in a strong gust.. It happens.

RUNWAY INCURSIONS Runway incursions are bound to increase with volume traffic crossing the 9L/27R. Runway incursions, at controlled airport, are the cause of the biggest aviation disasters.

Bobbi Lasher briefs the Airport Authority on Young Eagles at Valiant Air Command and the Annual BAA Toys For Tots Pancake Breakfast

The Marine Resources Council is enlisting the help of pilots
in the area to help us locate and identify North Atlantic right whales in the coastal
waters of Florida. The right whale is the most endangered of all the great
whales. Pregnant females travel to the coasts of Georgia and Florida each
winter to give birth to their calves. Only about 300-350 right whales are
left in the northern Atlantic today. Nearly all the whales in the population
have been photo-identified by the pattern of white bumps (callosities) on
their heads. Right whales are often sighted within a mile of the shore.

The purpose of our program is to locate these animals while they are in our
waters so that we can advise ships in the area of their presence.
Collisions with ships account for over 30% of right whale fatalities. In
addition, the Marine Resources Council is working in conjunction with
several other organizations to track and identify individual animals.

Pilots, perhaps, have the best perspective when it comes to whale watching.
We are asking those who are willing, to join our effort to help protect
these animals from extinction. There is no time commitment involved; all we
are asking is that if you are flying and notice a whale to call our hotline
number (1-888-97-WHALE) and report the sighting. In addition, it would be
extremely helpful to obtain overhead photographs, which are our best bet at
identifying individual whales. You will of course receive credit for any
photographs that are published.

For more information, please attend one of our upcoming information meetings
or contact us at the Marine Resources Council (321) 504-4500, 270 Paint
Street, Rockledge, FL 32955; email: council @mrcirl.org; website:
www.mrcirl.org.

Upcoming Information Meetings:

Friday, Dec. 12, 2003

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Stuart Brown Bag Lunch

Florida Oceanographic Society

890 NE Ocean Blvd., Hutchinson Island

(772) 225-0505

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003

2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

New Smyrna Beach Library

1001 S. Dixie Hwy.

(386) 424-2910

Friday, Jan. 9, 2004

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Fire Station #1

West Palm Beach

500 N. Dixie Hwy.

(561) 644-7422

Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

David R. Schechter Community Center

1089 S. Patrick Dr.

Satellite Beach

(321) 773-6458

Friday, Jan. 23, 2004

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Flagler County Public Library

2500 Palm Coast Pkwy NW, Palm Coast

386) 446-6763

Thank you,

Lynna Kaucheck

I just received this. It's good to know some people not only don't hate
us but appreciate what the Liberty and Freedom we enjoy are all about.

> Editorial
>
> We rarely get a chance to see another country's editorial about the USA.
>
> Read this excerpt from a Romanian Newspaper. The article was written by
> Mr. Cornel Nistorescu and published under the title "C"ntarea Americii
> meaning "Ode To America") on September 24, 2002, in the Romanian newspaper
> Evenimentulzilei ("The Daily Event" or "News of the Day").
> "~An Ode to America~
>
> Why are Americans so united? They would not resemble one another even if
> you painted them all one color! They speak all the languages of the world
> and form an astonishing mixture of civilizations and religious beliefs.
> Still, the American tragedy turned three hundred million people into a
hand
> put on the heart.
>
> Nobody rushed to accuse the White House, the army, and the secret
services
> that they are only a bunch of losers. Nobody rushed to empty their bank
> accounts. Nobody rushed out onto the streets nearby to gape about. The
> Americans volunteered to donate blood and to give a helping hand.
>
> After the first moments of panic, they raised their flag over the
smoking
> ruins, putting on T-shirts, caps and ties in the colors of the national
> flag. They placed flags on buildings and cars as if in every place and on
> every car a government official or the president was passing.
>
> On every occasion, they started singing their traditional song: "God
Bless
> America!" I watched the live broadcast and rerun after rerun for hours
> listening to the story of the guy who went down one hundred floors with a
> woman in a wheelchair without knowing who she was, or of the Californian
> hockey player, who gave his life fighting with the terrorists and
prevented
> the plane from hitting a target that could have killed other hundreds or
> thousands of people. How on earth were they able to respond united as one
> human being?
> Imperceptibly, with every word and musical note, the memory of some
turned
> into a modern myth of tragic heroes. And with every phone call, millions
> and millions of dollars were put in a collection aimed at rewarding not a
> man or a family, but a spirit, which no money can buy.
>
> What on earth can unite the Americans in such a way? Their land? Their
> galloping history? Their economic Power? Money? I tried for hours to find
an
> answer, humming songs and murmuring phrases with the risk of sounding
> commonplace.
> I thought things over, but I reached only one conclusion...Only
> freedom can work such miracles."
>
>
>
> Lonnie McLaughlin
> Brentwood, NY
>
>
>

________________________________________________________

 

Young Eagles were flown at Valkaria Airport
on July 19 by Chapter 1288, assisted by COI Chapter 724 and the Brevard Aviation Association (read more)

Spectacular Lindbergh Exhibit Opens to the Public (read more)

Get Fuel Prices Nationwide With Free FBO Index (read more)

This is your inside scoop on the FAA Reauthorization Bill that many of you have asked about. We have been working this issue since last fall. Our legislative affairs office and others helped prepare Mr. Boyer’s congressional testimony and written comments to this bill.

The attached document is a brief summary of what is in the bill and our position on the various items. Some key items to look at are:

Airport Planning and Development Grants
Meigs Field Legacy
Prohibition on Air Traffic Control Privatization
Federal Funding for Hangar Development, and
Grant Assurances – Private Hangar Construction
Please share this information with your fellow pilots. If you have contacts with your congressional delegations, please let them know you support your association's position on the provisions of this bill. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at tyacono@cfl.rr.com and I’ll get you an answer.

Tony Yacono

Here are the final numbers, 345 Young Eagles flown; 82 had flown before which means we introduced 263 youngsters to aviation. JOB WELL DONE!!!!!

If you are ready to do it all again, Young Eagles will be flying at Valkaria Airport on July 19th. To volunteer, contact Russ Minton at scalpel876@aol.com.

Again, a great big THANKS to all of you for your help and enthusiasim.

YOUNG EAGLES PILOTS AND
# OF Young Eagles flown

Tom Angello 9
John Casey 33
Jim Daron 10
Chuck Downing 11
Wayne Eleazar 3
S.M. Hallenbeck 15
Mike Katz 36
Ric Lasher 10
Oeter MacKenzie 26
Jeff May 16
Russ Minton 20
Johnny Murphy 39
Vic Poor 27
Don Runaas 13
Ron Shanz 4
Linn Walters 9
Don White 31
Tony Yacono 32


Bobbi
6/15/03

Click on photos to enlarge

Dr. Russ Minton the guest speaker at the May 2003 BAA meeting gave an interesting and detailed accounting of requirements for flying in the Caribbean. Dr. Minton and his wife began flying to islands in the Caribbean in 1973 in their Comanche 263. To fly in the Caribbean, all you need are WAC charts CH25, CJ26, and CJ27. The longest stretch over water is 40 miles, from Florida to Bimini. Once you get to the Caribbean, you are almost always in sight of an island, and they almost all have an airstrip.

Click on photo to enlarge

Dr. Minton generally flies 10,000 - 12,000', IFR with Miami Center. If you fly 5500 to 6500, you can't get Miami Center because they are set up to talk to large aircraft, which fly only at the higher levels. VFR is acceptable, but IFR has you in communication all the time whereas VFR leaves you with long dry spells.

The most difficult part is the paperwork. You need proof of citizenship (i.e., passport, original or certified copy of birth certificate), immigration forms and custom forms.
When you are in the islands and you want to fly to another island, the trans air must be stamped on your fourth copy of the declaration form. This lists what items you already have in your possession. Otherwise, when you return, they will try to charge you for them. Keep that with you at all times to avoid being hassled.

Port of Entry: AIM has a section that lists all POEs. Be sure you are landing at a POE. Once you arrive, stay beside your aircraft. A customs official will come out to the plane. If you arrive after hours and a customs official isn't around, do not leave the vicinity of your aircraft. You will be charged a landing fee ($15-$25) and a head tax (other than the pilot and one crew member). If you take anyone who is not a U.S. citizen make sure they have an I994 form. Never plan on arriving or leaving on a Saturday/Sunday or national holiday. Most of the island holidays can be found on-line so check it out before you go.

Be sure to rent life jackets and a raft and put them in the aircraft. Other essential items are a police whistle and small mirror for signaling.

Since 9/11, flights in the Caribbean have taken on a new face. If you fly IFR, you don't have to notify anyone when you penetrate the ADIZ. If you fly VFR, you must notify someone within 10 minutes or 10 miles of crossing the ADIZ.

You cannot fly into the Caribbean after dark. If you fly after dark you will be forced down and your aircraft will be taken. However, if you file an IFR flight plan you can go into the major airports after dark.

Flying over the water is beautiful. Finding an island can be tricky. Clouds make a shadow on the sea that looks like islands. A way to know if it is actually an island is to look for the white beach around it.

As with any trip, know your aircraft's fuel consumption.

Returning to the States:

The U.S. Customs require you to notify them one hour prior to arrival. If you are going to arrive at a time when they are closed, you can notify them the night before. It is a $5,000 fine for not advising Customs one hour prior to arriving. Whenever you talk to a customs official, get their badge number and name-note the time. If you can't make contact with anyone, call 118.4 (Miami FS) and advise them you are on your way. Note that Miami controller's number and time in case there is any question.

Private Aircraft Enforcement System Arrival Form: this is what you will need to fill out for the U.S. Customs. You present the form along with your ARROW documents and picture ID. You must also buy a customers sticker. It must be placed where a customs official can see it. (Dr. Minton has his inside the door to the baggage compartment). Cost is $25 for the sticker. Once you purchase the sticker you will get a renewal noticed and can renew by mail.

Click on photos to enlarge

EAA Chapter E-Gram
Vol. 5 No. 5 May 5, 2003

Recent Changes to the EAA Website
***********************************
The home page of the EAA website has recently seen a few changes. A "tile"
has been added on the left-hand side, that links directly to our EAA
Calendar of Events. In addition, we've added a line at the top of the page
called "Fly-Ins: AirVenture - Major & Regional Fly-Ins - Local Events,"
which links separately to the EAA AirVenture Page, the EAA Major and
Regional Fly-In page and the EAA Calendar of Events.

These changes will make it easier for people to link to the various
calendars and make plans to attend the EAA Chapter field events.

CHAPTER FLY-IN GUIDELINES AVAILABLE ON THE WEB
**********************************************
Is your Chapter planning a fly-in this summer? Do you need help in getting
organized and focusing your Chapter's efforts?

Go to the Fly-In Guidelines on the web for a terrific reference paper that
will help your Chapter plan for an outstanding fly-in. In addition, there
is a reference paper that outlines Pilot Proficiency Events that can be
conducted that are within your Chapter Insurance Program.

Check it out on the web at:

http://www.eaa.org/chapters/activities/flyins.asp

INTERNATIONAL YOUNG EAGLES DAY IS JUNE 14
*******************************************
We want to encourage as many of you who can, to schedule an event for that
day. International Young Eagles Day has been celebrated since 1994 and has
resulted in tens of thousands of Young Eagles flights through the years.
While we hope your Chapter will hold several events each year, June 14 is
set aside as THE day to focus on Young Eagles. If you need supplies or have
questions, please contact the Young Eagles Office at yeagles@eaa.org
<mailto:yeagles@eaa.org or 1-877-806-8902.

YOUNG EAGLE AWARD NOMINATIONS
*****************************
Nominations for the 2003 Young Eagles Awards are now open. These awards
were established to recognize outstanding efforts on behalf of the Young
Eagles Program. The awards will be presented during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
2003 at a special ceremony held at Theater in the Woods on Wednesday, July
30. The categories are: Outstanding Field Representative; Outstanding
Chapter Coordinator; Outstanding Ground Support Volunteer; Horizons
(recognizing programs or services developed to further extend the reach of
the Young Eagles Program to young people); and a Young Eagles Humanitarian
award (recognizing special efforts for special people). If you have someone
in mind for any of these awards, please forward a letter of nomination along
with any background materials to: Young Eagles Office, Attn: Awards
Committee, PO Box 2683, Oshkosh, WI 54903-2683. The deadline for
nominations is June 1, 2003. Help us recognize outstanding Young Eagles
Volunteers with your nomination.

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUNG EAGLES ON DECEMBER 18, 2003?
**************************************************
When we reach our 1 million Young Eagle goal this year, does that mean the
program will cease to exist? No. In fact, because we have been so
successful, you have helped ensure the program will continue. Young Eagles
has become one of the top activities for EAA Chapters and Members. The
Wright Brothers didn't stop flying on December 18, 1903, so why should we
stop flying Young Eagles on December 18, 2003? We will be looking at ways
to keep the program growing in 2004 and beyond. In the future, we want to
help you continue providing inspirational and motivational experiences for
young people in your community. While our future plans will be announced
during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2003, we want to keep our eyes on the
immediate goal. We're too close now to come up short. Rest assured, as
Chapter members, you'll be among the first to hear about our plans for the
future.

SAVE THE DATE
*************
Save the date. The annual Gathering of Eagles Fundraiser will take place
the evening of Tuesday, July 29th, 2003 during AirVenture. More information
will follow from the EAA Development Department but we wanted you to have
the date on your calendar.

EAA AirVenture Warbird Pre-Registration Available
****************************************************************************
*
Attention Warbird pilots: Are you planning to fly your aircraft to EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh 2003? Past participants know that the registration lines
can get pretty long and would avoid them if they could. Well, you're in
luck, because EAA Warbirds of America now provides a convenient way to
pre-register through the Warbirds website. Simply fill out the
pre-registration form and send it in by July 14 and we'll have your
information waiting when you arrive. All you have to do is check in with the
personnel at Warbird Registration and you'll be on your way. It's that
simple! Complete and submit the on-line information or e-mail
warbirds@eaa.org for more information.

Wild Blue Wonders Regional Championships Set
*********************************************
EAA Wild Blue Wonders teams are in the final preparations for the Regional
Championships set for May and June. The regionals are based in aviation and
science museums across the country. The teams will be competing in five
different areas that include a flight plan and navigation section, flying a
model airplane and performing a skit written by the team about a historic
aircraft. Anyone interested in youth education based on an aviation theme
should plan on attending one of the all day competitions near you. EAA
Chapters and Members support many of the teams throughout the country. Come
see their excellent work!

The schedule as of this date:

The Sun n' Fun Museum, Lakeland, FL May 3, 2003
Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA May 17, 2003
Aviation and Space Center of the Rockies, Denver, CO May 17, 2003
March Field Museum, Riverside, CA May 31, 2003
AirVenture Museum, Oshkosh, WI May 31, 2003
Fernbank Science Museum, Atlanta, GA June 7, 2003
Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ June 14, 2003
Golden West EAA Regional Fly-in, Marysville, CA June 20, 2003

Each Regional Champion will attend AirVenture 2003 and compete in the
National Championship on Friday, August 1, 2003. If you are visiting
AirVenture, come by the Eagle Hangar Friday afternoon and witness the
culmination of months of work by our Wild Blue Wonders teams.

For additional information on the EAA Wild Blue Wonders Program go to:
http://www.wildbluewonders.com/ or contact Fred Nauer at fnauer@eaa.org.

EAA Again Stresses...Sport Pilot Driver's License Medical NOT AFFECTED by
FAA
Rec Pilot Denial
****************************************************************************
A recently published news brief has again raised questions about the
driver's license airman's medical provision contained in FAA's pending sport
pilot certificate proposal. This has brought a large number of calls to
EAA's Sport Pilot Hotline. The report created confusion when it referred to
the FAA's denial of EAA's and AOPA's petitions to allow a driver's license
medical for the recreational pilot certificate and suggested the sport pilot
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) driver's license medical provision may
not be approved.

As EAA reported in early March, FAA's denial of the recreational pilot
petition has absolutely no impact on the sport pilot's driver's license
medical certificate provision. Key FAA officials who participated in EAA's
sport pilot forums at the Sun `n Fun EAA Fly-In reinforced this point.

For more detailed information go to: http://www.sportpilot.org/

Note the special Sport Pilot Media Guide that summarizes the proposal,
details on aircraft categories, photos of proposed aircraft, and more:

http://www.sportpilot.org/newsroom/index.html

Upcoming SportAir Workshops
************************************

May 16 - 18, 2003 Oshkosh, WI
Topic: RV Assembly

June 6 - 8, 2003 Corona, CA
Topic: RV Assembly

June 21 - 22, 2003 Frederick, MD (Washington, DC area)
Topics: Sheet Metal Basics, Composite Construction, Fabric Covering,
Electrical Systems and Avionics, Gas Welding and What's Involved in
Kitbuilding?

June 27 - 29, 2003 Griffin, GA
Topics: RV Assembly and TIG Welding

For detailed information on SportAir Workshops, including cost, course
descriptions and how to register go to:
http://www.sportair.org/schedule.html or call 1-800-967-5746.

IMPORTANT LINKS:
******************

Chapter Event Notice Form:
http://www.eaa.org/chapters/admin/chapter_squadron_events.pdf

Chapter Handbook:
http://www.eaa.org/chapters/admin/chapter_handbook1.pdf

Reference Papers:
http://www.eaa.org/chapters/resources/reference/default.asp

Calendar of Events:
http://www.eaa.org/events/index.html

Chapter Award Nomination Forms:
http://www.eaa.org/chapters/programs/awards.asp

Your opportunity to fly on the Concord ended October 24, 2003. The French fleet was retired May 31. Flying the Concord made one a member three very exclusive aviation clubs: Break the sound barrier Club, Fly at twice the speed of sound Club and the 60,000ft Club. She will be missed.

The Brevard Aviation Association elects
new Board Members.

May 31, 2003

Dear BAA Members and Friends,

The Brevard Aviation Association elected an experienced and diverse group of Directors to the Board on Wednesday May 28th. We are very fortunate to have these professionals on our Board. We will maintain an active interest in Brevard's aviation evolution and in particular COI. But this doesn't mean that the BAA needs to be all work and no play. So lets have fun pursuing this important common cause.

We will be forming committees during the next few weeks via e-mail to pursue special interests of concern to BAA. The committees will report monthly at the BAA meetings. This will give us an organized procedure to monitor and make recommendations on special interests. Please send me your ideas for these committees. The committees can be headed by any BAA member. To join the BAA simply e-mail me at catherine@catherinehall.com.

The Brevard Aviation Association Board of Directors:

Catherine Hall, President and Director
Don White, Vice President and Director
Carl May, Treasurer and Director
Sharon Martin, Secretary and Director
Tony Yacono, Past President and Director
Ken Demmer, Director
Ric Lasher, Director
Dr. Russell Minton, Director
Roger Scruggs, Director

Thank you and fly safe.

Sincerely,

Catherine Hall
President, Brevard Aviation Association
E-mail: catherine@catherinehall.com, Phone: 637-3316

The Brevard Aviation Association elects
a new President, Catherine Hall.

April 26, 2003

Dear Brevard Aviation Association Members,

Thank you for electing me President of the association. As I mentioned
Wednesday night, I look forward to working with the association. I will
work diligently for BAA. I share Tony's and the members concern for the
Merritt Island Airport. Merritt Island is our airport and therefore it's
our responsibility to take an active interest in its evolution. But this
doesn't mean that BAA needs to be all work and no play. So, lets pursue
this important common cause and have fun doing it.

BAA is your organization. Your input and participation is encouraged.
Please take a minute and consider what you can do for BAA. We need
volunteers and we need active participation to ensure that the Merritt
Island Airport and the Brevard aviation community is representative of us.
Please e-mail me with your thoughts, ideas and offers to volunteer.

I will be communicating with you often and I sincerely encourage you to
reciprocate.

Thank you and fly safe.

Sincerely,

Catherine Hall
President, Brevard Aviation Association

e-mail: catherine@catherinehall.com
Phone: 321-637 1522
Cell phone: 321-794-5898

For those of you that missed the meeting, I have a short biography on my web site at: http://www.catherinehall.com/

Homeland Security issues general aviation security advisory
May 2 — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last night issued an "Advisory to General Aviation" to be alert for unusual or suspicious activities at general aviation airports. A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) representative told AOPA that while no new airspace restrictions are anticipated, DHS felt that because of information and analysis from the Terrorist Threat Integration Center received in the last 24 hours, the advisory was necessary. The advisory sites "recent reliable reports" indicating that al Qaida is in the last stages of planning an aerial suicide attack against the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan. Although no information was provided about any threats in the United States, pilots are being asked to report all unusual or suspicious activities at airports.

"AOPA fully supports heightened vigilance and has shown this commitment through the AOPA Airport Watch Program," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "However, we're very concerned about the sweeping generalizations in the DHS advisory that aren't necessarily accurate."

For example, the advisory states that a GA aircraft "loaded with explosives is the equivalent of a medium-sized truck bomb." That is far from reality for the majority of GA aircraft. The typical general aviation aircraft, particularly one that could be flown by a "less skilled pilot," can only carry several hundred pounds. The "medium-sized truck bomb" that killed six in the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993 weighed 1,500 pounds.

Nevertheless, pilots should do their part and watch for persons loitering in areas with aircraft, aircraft with unusual modifications, persons who appear to be under stress or under the control of other persons, and persons loading unusual payload into aircraft.

Suspicious activity should be reported using the toll free Airport Watch general aviation hotline at 866-GA-SECURE.