[JYO] AOPA to take out national ad to counter fears created by Fox TV show 24

from AOPA...


Feb. 18 — AOPA is fighting back against a TV show that creates the impression 
that general aviation aircraft could be used in a terrorist attack. In an 
episode of Fox's 24 to air tonight, terrorists will attempt to use a small 
aircraft to detonate a nuclear bomb over a city.

"While this scenario strains credulity, it still feeds into the unwarranted 
fear that some people have about general aviation," said AOPA President Phil 
Boyer. "We heard from many members who were concerned about the damage this 
show could do. So we are taking a proactive stance and once again getting the 
truth out about GA to the general public."

AOPA has taken out a <A 
HREF="http://www.aopa.org/images/whatsnew/newsitems/2003/03-1-080x.jpg";>full-page
 ad</A> that will appear in USA Today tomorrow, the 
day following the broadcast. Headlined "Small Airplanes and TV Fiction," the 
ad notes that while in fiction, "a small airplane might be a tool of terror, 
in the real world, general aviation aircraft will be flying to the rescue."

The ad points out the important role GA always plays in times of disaster. It 
reminds readers that GA is an essential part of the nation's economy and 
transportation system. And the ad shows that GA pilots are working to improve 
national security by taking an active part in programs such as <A 
HREF="http://www.aopa.org/asn/watchindex.shtml";>AOPA's Airport 
Watch</A>.

The ad also directs the reader to visit <A 
HREF="http://www.gaservingamerica.org/";>www.GAservingAmerica.org</A> to learn 
more about general aviation.

"I think we all have to face the reality that just about anything — from a 
box cutter to an inflatable boat to a rental truck — could be used by a 
terrorist," said Boyer. "But with this ad, we want to get the message out 
that the nation would lose so much if we were to restrict GA because of a 
fear of terrorism."


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