In an expertly-planned presentation by AOPA for its pivotal Airport Watch program, ANN's Jim Campbell was the first to get a definitive straight answer from the head of the TSA as to the future of the embattled airports of College Park, Hyde and Potomac, Maryland.

Unfortunately, what he had to say is not likely to be what we wanted to hear.

Asking for whatever hope the head of the nation's Transportation Security Administration might give to the pilots who operate from those airports, James Loy told ANN that there was not much hope for a lessening of the restrictions, but did bring up the possibility of a buy-out for at least two of the airports so that their owners might be able to recoup some of their losses and make a new start elsewhere. What this means to the historic College Park Airport, the nation's oldest continuously operated public airport, is troublesome since that airport is owned by the Park Service and is not privately owned.

Campbell noted that a look at the logs showed barely two dozen operations out of the quaint and once valuable flying facility in nearly a month... and that the airport was "failing fast." Loy, apparently well-briefed on the situation, noted some sympathy in the matter but explained that there were no plans to change the current restrictions that make operations out of those airports highly restrictive, costly and time-consuming.

The airports in question refuse to accept this. College Park Airport's tireless Manager, Lee Schiek, seems pretty displeased with this statement and explains that all they hear from TSA are "pronouncements... but no discussion."

Schiek (right) strongly believes that there is a way to modify the present restrictions that not only addresses TSA's legitimate security concerns but would open the airports up to more operations... possibly even the use of the fields by properly cleared transients. "We are the gateway airport to the nations's capital... there is a history here and a utility that is just too valuable to destroy. If they actually work with us, I think they'd be amazed at how well we might work together."

During a short one-on-one with Loy earlier in the afternoon, ANN mentioned that there seemed to be a justifiable perception that TSA's communications were all "one-way..." and that the needs and aims of the Administration might be immeasurably furthered by a two-way conversation with critically affected parties. Loy admitted that this might be so and promised to take it under advisement. We'll see what results... we have hopes.

Not set up to be friendly...

Loy is obviously convinced of the value and necessity of a healthy GA industry and spoke glowingly of the efforts the industry initiated with the creation of the Airport Watch program and the cooperation TSA has started receiving, as a result. AOPA is lobbying/briefing the hell out of this guy and it appears this effort is sinking in... but he also (obviously) gets the "bad news" from non-aviation entities such as the Secret Service, FBI, et al... whose aviation knowledge is suspect where aero-security concerns are involved. The sad part of this is that he HAS to listen to the bureaucrats, and the attention he pays to AOPA and the GA community is strictly elective.

Interestingly, the DC-3 dilemma seems to have earned some much-needed sympathy from some high-ranking government officials--who may ultimately be the only avenue of improvement left to the three remaining restricted airports. Congressman James Oberstar (D8-MN), Ranking Member of the House Transportation Committee, has a strong and unquestioned aviation background, as well as a passion for flying. His expertise comes in handy when he makes statements like that he gave ANN during a short one-on-one interview.

"Those airports (the 'DC-3') are being held hostage by these rules," he explained, and further indicated "there have to be better solutions."

Another Congressman, Steven Pearce (R2-NM), was listening in, and as a pilot and aircraft operator, seemed to be in sympathy with the dilemma faced by these embattled airports. Both Congressmen were in attendance to support the introduction of Airport watch and are proving to be strong and valued advocates for the GA community. We're glad they're on our side.

FMI: www.house.gov/oberstar, http://www.house.gov/pearce/, www.potomac-airfield.com, www.aajp.com/maryland/airports/college.htm, www.avialantic.com/collpark.html