Flexibility needed on airport ‘through-the-fence’ access (Obama seeks to further hurt aviation)

AOPA ^ | 7/8/09

[pabianice]

AOPA has expressed concern over the FAA’s broad-brush approach that would eliminate all existing through-the-fence access at public-use airports. Aircraft operations involving homes and businesses on private property that have access to airport taxiways or runways are called “through the fence” operations. The problem is of particular concern in the Northwest where the FAA is conducting an inventory of airports that have existing through-the-fence operations and is working with the airport sponsor to eventually eliminate that access.

AOPA has written a letter expressing concern and urging greater flexibility in the pending policy.

“In many ways, residential airparks or hangar homes can provide security and economic benefits to the airport and support an overarching goal of helping the airport become self sustaining,” said Heidi Williams, AOPA senior director of airports. “In fact, Independence Airpark in Oregon is a stellar example of the economic benefit the adjacent airpark offers in creating a self sustaining state-owned and -operated airport.

“AOPA does recognize that there must be parity among airport users whether based on or off the airport,” Williams said. “To that end, we support the FAA’s effort to conduct an inventory of residential through-the-fence operations to ensure economic parity and preservation of the airport sponsors’ rights and powers.”

Williams strongly recommended the FAA re-institute greater flexibility into the policy instead of trying to implement a one-size-fits-all approach. She suggested that AOPA and the aviation industry collaborate on a policy that benefits the airports and the users on a case-by-case basis.

For additional guidance on through-the-fence issues, see AOPA’s white paper.

[colorado tanker]

I can’t lay this one on Barry. The FAA has been hostile to TTF operations for a long time.

[OldMissileer]

Not only ending this practice; just wait until they demand that private pilots and their passengers submit to a TSA screening prior to using their privately owned aircraft.

It may sound far-fetched but a couple of years ago I heard through some of my aviation contacts in the FAA that some dingus actually mentioned it.

[jwparkerjr]

Typical liberal approach to a problem. Do something, anything. Doesn’t matter if it make sense or stands up under closer scrutiny to make sure it does something to solve the problem or just make it worse.

Any terrorist who is intent on getting an airplane for his evil deeds is going to know how to get around this hands down. Meantime it will deal a cruel blow to a general aviation industry that is already reeling from the two-pronged attack of recession and energy costs.

All over the country you’ll have honest citizens and businesses spending time and effort and tons of money protecting against something that is completely out of the realm of possibility at their facility.

Anytime you create a whole new government bureaucracy to handle something and give it a purse and authority you’re asking for trouble. And TSA is no exception.

[ridesthemiles]

These kinds of home/hanger operations are all over the country. Many rural ranches have aircraft and private airfields. Crop dusters the same.

This kind of broad brush is waaaay over the top.