and By

JOHN THOMPSON

[email protected]

Although the 160 aircraft based

at Falcon Field don't pose much of a danger even if they were stolen for

use as a terrorist's weapon aviators there are taking extra precautions

to secure the airport.

Airport officials have established

a neighborhood watch type program so people can report suspicious activity

to airport staff or emergency personnel if the airport is closed for the

evening, said Airport Manager Jim Savage.

Airport staff fuel up aircraft

and get to know the usual customers, Savage said. "We're very careful

to notice who operates these airplanes."

Many aviators who used to park

their aircraft outside have chosen to move their planes into hangars,

Savage said. Others have purchased a lock that goes on the plane's throttle

which keeps the plane from taking off since the engine can't go above

idle speed, he added.

Plane owners also have another

option, a "boot"-type device that secures to the wheels of the

aircraft, effectively disabling it until the complicated device is removed.

The Peachtree City Police Department

has been patrolling the airport, and the presence of the Fayette County

Sheriff's Department helicopter on site has also made airport tenants

feel more safe, Savage noted.

Meanwhile, the Georgia Airports

Association has been working with the Transportation Security Administration

to make sure procedures are in place to enhance security at general aviation

airports like Falcon Field, said Savage, who also serves on the GAA.

The important thing is making

sure there's a line of communication between airport officials and the

various agencies such as the TSA with local and regional law enforcement

officials.

And just to our north ...

Last week's directive from

the White House to stock up on duct tape and plastic sheeting left many

residents wondering how safe the metro area is and what should be done

in case of a biological or chemical attack.

One of the biggest concerns

could be Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport, which lies just north

of Fayette County.

Security sources at Hartsfield

and the federal Transportation Security Administration remained tight-lipped

last week about possible evacuation plans, but maintain they are ready

for any possible nefarious plans.

"We can't tell you exactly

what we have in place, because we don't want to offer a blueprint for

people to try and get around the plans," said Hartsfield spokesperson

Yolanda Clark.

When the country's security

warning was changed to orange, the second highest level of alert, the

airport did increase security measures in several areas including:

Parking. The number of parking

spaces may be reduced and there may be increased random inspections of

vehicles in and around the airport facility.

Increased law enforcement

presence. The TSA, working with airport and local law enforcement officers,

increased the number of patrols of local law enforcement officers throughout

airport facility and increased patrols of airport perimeters.

Checkpoints at airports. TSA

screeners are always on a heightened state of alert, and continue to perform

at that level.

Checking airport IDs. The

TSA advised air carriers to review and ensure the validity of all personnel

identification badges for those who have access to the secure areas.

Back

to News Home Page |