[JYO] AOPA tells DOT system is not “restored” until VFR flights permitted 

“” on airport, aircraft security
” until VFR flights permitted    
—“Rapid 
” to deliver detailed recommendations for improving security on 
airliners and at the major, airline-served airports. The two teams are 
scheduled to report back to Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta by 
“These teams appear to be working solely on commercial airline 
”“AOPA is 
focusing right now on getting VFR flights back in the air. Our efforts are 
“However, if 
’’ve asked 
” 
(See 

<A 
HREF="http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2001/010917mineta_ltr.html";>’s 
letter to Mineta</A>.) AOPA also asked DOT to be more specific in its 
statements to the press. While DOT has said that the national air system had 
“”“Until VFR operations 
‘’
 The unexpected effect of these statements is national news media 
representations to that effect, leading some pilots to undertake VFR 
” (VFR operations are still prohibited. Part 91 IFR operations are 
permitted with some restrictions.) The Rapid Response Team on airport 
’s chairman Herb Kelleher, former U.S. 
Customs commissioner Raymond Kelly, and the president of the American 
Association of Airport Executives Charles Barclay. The team focusing on 
airliner security includes American Airlines vice chairman Robert W. Baker, 
former Boeing official Robert A. Davis, Air Line Pilots Association president 
Capt. Duane Woerth, and Patricia Friend, international president of the 
Association of Flight Attendants.   
    

- - - -

AOPA letter

September 17, 2001

The Honorable Norman Mineta
Secretary
Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590

Dear Secretary Mineta:

Thank you again for taking the time to keep me personally apprised of the 
ongoing situation with regard to the full restoration of the national 
airspace system. Being able to tell the nation's pilots of our conversations, 
particularly your advocacy on our behalf, has gone a long way in reducing 
pilot frustration and confusion.

In order not to create more work for either of us, I would like to verify the 
purpose of the two Rapid Response Teams created on Sunday. From the 
Department's press release the teams appear to be working solely on 
commercial airline passenger and airport issues. If the mandate extends 
beyond such issues I would implore you to add at least one representative 
from the general aviation community.

Finally, I would also respectfully request the Department be cognizant in its 
press statements of how it describes the current status of the national air 
system. Until VFR operations are restored we obviously do not consider the 
system "successfully restored." The unexpected effect of these statements is 
national news media representations to that effect, leading some pilots to 
undertake VFR operations.

Norm, thank you again for all your efforts on behalf of general aviation 
during this extremely difficult time.

Sincerely,

Phil Boyer
President
Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association

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