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GAO-04-499R 1 (2004-03-05)

handle is hein.gao/gaocrptapzt0001 and id is 1 raw text is: SGAO Accountability * Integrity Reliability United States General Accounting Office Washington, DC 20548 March 5, 2004 The Honorable Tom Ridge Secretary, Department of Homeland Security Subject: Aviation Security Factors Could Limit the Effectiveness of the Transportation Security Administration Efforts to Secure Aerial A dvertising Operations Dear Mr. Secretary: After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued flight restrictions to prevent flights over certain areas, to include stadiums, in response to increased concerns about the threat posed by terrorists using aircraft as a weapon. Larger stadiums, some of which may house more than 100,000 fans for certain events, may provide an attractive target for such a terrorist attack. Beginning in December 2001, FAA's Air Traffic Division Director of Air Traffic Services, and later the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), implemented processes to allow certain pilots and aircraft to operate over these events by waiving flight restrictions. However, in February 2003, Congress passed legislation that for 1 year prevented aerial advertising pilots' from flying near stadium airspace during certain sporting events by suspending the waiver process. In January 2004, Congress passed legislation continuing this restriction indefinitely.2 In the event that the restriction on waivers for aerial advertising near stadiums is repealed, the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, asked that we (1) describe the results of FAA and TSA threat assessments conducted relevant to aerial advertising operations and (2) identify FAA's and TSA's processes for mitigating the identified threat, determine whether established processes were followed, and identify factors that may limit their effectiveness. Due to TSA's concern that the public release of our detailed findings could compromise aviation security, our report detailing the results of our review is restricted. This letter is intended to summarize our overall findings and confirm your agreement to take action to address vulnerabilities and inefficiencies in the background check process for aerial advertisers in the event that the waiver restriction is repealed. Such actions could also improve the quality of background checks for all general aviation pilots seeking waivers of security-related flight restrictions. 'Aerial advertising aircraft are small aircraft that tow advertising banners. 2 Pub. L. No. 108-199, Section 521, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004. GAO-04-499R Aviation Security

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