We’re heard the term before – suicide-by-cop. This is where someone threatens the police with a gun to get the police to kill the individual. On February 18, we witnessed suicide-by-small-plane. We did not witness a terrorist attack. We barely witnessed an attack on a government building. Had Stack intended on causing mass casualties, he certainly did not pick an effective tool for the job.

What does this say about general aviation security? Should we be concerned? Want the solution? Read on.

Filed under: Crime and Terrorism, Current Affairs, General Aviation Aircraft Operator Security, General Aviation Airport Security | 6 Comments »

The word is just coming out now about an airplane that crashed into an office building in Austin, TX.

Already the reporting is all over the place about the intentions of the pilot, how the plane was flying (“full throttle” by one account, but how does someone on the ground know the throttle settings of an plane?). Just like the Cory Liddle crash into an apartment in Manhattan, there is a ton of speculation going on.

General aviation security has been an issue for many years, with arguments on both sides about whether more security is needed. I’m sure this will also re-energize the Large Aircraft Security Program discussion.

First, understand that this has happened before. In 1994, a man stole a small Cessna aircraft and flew it into the White House. In 2002, a 16-year-old stole a Cessna 172 and flew it into the Bank of America building.

Filed under: Crime and Terrorism, Current Affairs | 1 Comment »

According to a CBS news report Jihadists continue to attempt to exploit gaps in aviation security. One website invites members to post methods of circumventing aviation security and how to bypass screening, while others ask about the capabilities of screening detection equipment. On one site a visitor asks a question involving the whole body imagers: [...]

Filed under: Christmas Day Bomber, Crime and Terrorism, Current Affairs | No Comments »

For those professors and instructors who use Practical Aviation Security in an existing Aviation Safety and Security course, or who would like to add a more effective security element to an existing course, I have drafted some notes and a table to help you slim down PAS for use in your classes. Email me at [...]

Filed under: Textbook Errata | 1 Comment »

There are nearly 1 million State and Local Law Enforcement Officers (LEO’s) in the United States, however, under federal regulations many of them are not allowed to carry firearms on board a commercial aircraft. The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) has just asked the President Obama to allow appropriately certified federal, state and local officers to carry firearms on board commercial flights.

Filed under: Commercial Aviation Aircraft Operator Security, Current Affairs, Existing and Emerging Threats, Policies and Procedures | 5 Comments »