TSA launches GA vulnerability assessment

The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) is assisting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in launching its General Aviation Airports Vulnerability Assessment. The assessment is a short survey that allows general aviation airport operators to self-assess the current level of security at their airport. It helps identify both security strengths and areas that may need improvement, NASAO officials said.

NASAO’s relationship with TSA goes back to the founding of that agency. NASAO was one of the leaders of the aviation community that wrote the proposal that became TSA’s “Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports” in 2004.

“Many NASAO members — the states — have been leading the way in providing adequate and appropriate general aviation security standards without onerous restrictions or unnecessary regulations,” said NASAO President and CEO Henry Ogrodzinski. “Therefore, it’s logical for the association and the states to assist TSA in promoting and distributing the vulnerability assessment. It’s important the general aviation community continue to protect its aircraft and airports from misuse or abuse.”

The 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007 directed TSA to develop and implement a standardized threat and vulnerability assessment program for general aviation airports. It also required TSA to evaluate the feasibility of a program to provide grants to general aviation airport operators to complete projects in order to improve security.

Answers to frequently asked questions about the general aviation airport vulnerability assessment can be found on the NASAO website. The survey is at TSA.gov/GASurvey.