Admiral David M. Stone, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), gave attendees of the National Air Transportation Association’s (NATA) Annual Convention a preview of what the agency is planning for the future of aviation security.

Stone addressed many topics of interest to the general aviation community during the convention’s general session at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, including the need to find a balance between protecting liberties and providing security. “You can have the most secure airport in the world, but if no one uses it then it really doesn’t matter,” Stone told attendees. “We are very serious about balancing customer service with providing security for the flying public.”

Stone discussed the implementation of metrics to measure passenger satisfaction and security screening so this balance can be achieved.

Another topic of interest to the general aviation industry was the TSA’s perusal of Transit Worker Identification Cards (TWIC) so crews serving multiple airports can be screened one time and be cleared to work at several facilities.

Additionally, Stone addressed the issue of general aviation access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). “I think we are smart enough to come up with a plan that makes sense from a security standpoint while also allowing access,” he said.

Stone said the agency was striving to avoid basing its decision-making on what works in Washington and, instead, operate on the premise that “the best homeland security is hometown security.”

Stone also discussed the need for true risk-based assessment on the assignment of Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) at general aviation airports rather than a blanket approach. “We’ll just pledge that you will have a voice that will be heard from a security perspective on issues that you expect us to help,” Stone said. “As you go through your process and come to the table as the leader in aviation security, we would like your support to make sure that TFRs are not put in place as a knee jerk reaction and in an unsure manner. We are working very hard to ensure that we are in sync with our stakeholders to make sure that the establishment of TFRs is done thoughtfully, and we are engaged in that process every day.

Responding to Assistant Secretary Stone’s remarks, NATA President James K. Coyne said, “I am pleased that not only do we have a tremendous working relationship with Admiral Stone and the TSA, but we also have developed a relationship of mutual trust and understanding between our organizations that will hopefully result in a safer air transportation system that is not maintained at the expense of those in the aviation business.

“All at the TSA have continually demonstrated a willingness to hear from us, take our concerns seriously, and act upon those concerns. We appreciate that strong relationship,” Coyne concluded.

FMI: www.nata.aero