Originally Posted by
Skypartners
If you enter the RZ of a passenger airport you are subject to the same level of security as a departing passenger, whatever your reason for being there. So when the entry conditions are tightened you will be similarly restricted. The solution for GA is not to go through the RZ and at some airports that is still an option but that must change as the present level of threat is analysed further. The fact that you can wander next to the apron or runway at any passenger airport is appalling - enjoy the ones where you can because that will end - it must. As to the people trying to man central search - well, frankly, with security requirements from the DfT changing hourly, as they did during the critical period of the alert - the only approach staff can take is to unilaterally enforce the rules they are asked to - there isn't the time to stand and argue with private pilots about what they can and can't do because the rules for what you may take into the RZ do not get changed if you shout louder. My advice? If you don't want to be hassled by security rules do not fly into PAX airports where GA is managed through the PAX terminal. If you do you will be treated like everyone else going into the RZ - be you a pilot, a passenger or a cleaner it's the DfT that says what you can and can't do and airport security who have to listen to you protest about it. Happy landings.
It seems crazy that if you flew yourself into Blackpool on business, which required to to take your toolkit with you, you could pass unhindered from airside, but not return to your aeroplane with it. If you travelled by passenger jet (excluding Ryanair, of course), your toolkit could go in the hold, but I can't see how that would work with a C172! The logical conclusion to the current state of siege is that "international" airports should not allow GA aircraft to land, unless they departed from a similarly controlled airport, or there's compulsory handling. Either option will hit GA hard at those airfields.
There must be a solution to this that satisfies both sides. My suggestion is to restrict passenger flights to BAA owned airports, but I am prepared to compromise.
