Aviation securityHouse considers industry advisory group for TSA

House lawmakers are currently consideringa bill that would create an industry advisory panel for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on aviation matters.

HR 1447, the Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act of 2011, would create an Aviation Security Advisory Committee composed of several working groups that would make recommendations on security issues for airplanes and airports.

The advisory committee would consist of representatives of twenty-seven organizations including air carriers, cargo air transporters, air carrier employee unions, airplane manufacturers, and airport operators.

Ed Bolen, the president and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), urged lawmakers to pass the bill.

In a joint letter to House Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman Mike Rodgers (R- Alabama) from NBAA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Air Transport Association, the Airports Council International, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and the National Air Transportation Association, Bolen wrote, “We commend the House subcommittee leaders for passing this legislation, which gives business aviation a greater voice in the security policies that impact our industry.”

If the bill were to become law, within a year the TSA would have to develop procedures and protocols to permit business aircraft operators access to airspace closed by temporary flight restrictions. In addition, an amendment introduced by Chairman Rogers would require TSA to bring consistiency to its use of security directives.

The bill passed the House Homeland Security subcommittee on transportation security six to three two weeks ago and now sits with the full committee.