TSA closes Potomac airport

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This is the response from Potomac:


TSA WALKING AWAY FROM IMPROVED AIRSPACE SECURITY BY CLOSING POTOMAC AIRFIELD
IN MARYLAND

Airspace security in the national capital area is provided by multiple
agencies. Rather than address the more significant long-standing problems,
unfortunately in this case, TSA has chosen the least effective route.

To improve security overhead, instead of more effectively dealing with real
airspace issues, which are addressed through operational security measures,
TSA has chosen to lock a few aircraft on the ground; even more remarkably,
aircraft only operated by pilots already cleared by TSA, The United States
Secret Service, and other agencies.

Meanwhile TSA allows pilots having less secure procedures to continue to
operate.

While Potomac Airfield has continually improved security, through improving
plans approved by TSA, and by incorporating security measures already in
place for other operators in the National Capital Area, TSA has withdrawn
its approval for reasons that are not clear.

Potomac Airfield security plans have been developed in consultation with all
relevant agencies responsible to enhance airspace security, including United
States Secret Service, Customs, DOD, FAA, and others, yet TSA for some
reason feels this is inadequate.

By TSA removing its approval, TSA has chosen to not support enhanced
security.

In review of information provided by TSA and other agencies, no agency has
identified any physical threat; particularly from the pilots already
approved by TSA, USSS and others, who operate from the Potomac Airfield.

The procedures developed by Potomac Airfield, to more effectively screen and
eliminate any real potential threat, go unnoticed by TSA.

TSA's current action is further evidence that TSA, in this instance, does
not understand enhancing airspace security through more effective
operational procedures.

TSA also does not understand the impact to legitimate private-sector users;
shown by their similar efforts to 're-open' DCA to general aviation, as
recently reported by the press.

Regardless, TSA continues to allow pilots not having assured in-cockpit
control to operate, while grounding those pilots with the most effective
operational security protocols.

Potomac understands that Congressional inquiries are under way considering
TSA's handling of this particular matter.

Potomac also plans to request clarification from the Executive office about
their sincerity in decisions post 911, to re-open national security airspace
to legitimate private sector users.

Potomac understands that TSA's statutory authority is to coordinate with
other government agencies.

It is not clear that TSA coordinated with any Executive agencies in this
action.
David Wartofsky - Potomac Airfield November 2, 2005

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Tink1717 2]

And once the ADIZ becomes permanent, you can expect ALL GA air ports within it to close. Calls to the senate won't help either.

Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off.
-The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!)
AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717

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Quote

And once the ADIZ becomes permanent, you can expect ALL GA air ports within it to close. Calls to the senate won't help either.

Then it won't be long before all Class B becomes ADIZ (Daley has already made a pitch for Chicago to be restricted). That will be the death of GA as we know it.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.