[JYO] Flying to NJ soon? Double locks required for stay longer than 24 hours..

from AOPA...

New Jersey to require double locks on all aircraft by Friday
AOPA seeks to change and clarify order

Mar. 24 — The New Jersey state attorney general ordered Friday (March 21) 
that every aircraft that remains in the state more than 24 hours must have a 
"two-lock system which secures or disables the aircraft to prevent operation 
of the aircraft." <A 
HREF="http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2003/030324nj_security.pdf";>The 
order</A>, issued by the New Jersey Domestic Security 
Preparedness Task Force, becomes effective this Friday.

"We've been burning up the telephone wires to New Jersey since this order was 
issued," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "While any aircraft owner certainly 
wants to make it difficult for someone to steal his aircraft or the valuable 
avionics inside, this order raises serious safety and economic concerns.

"It can be dangerous to put non-certified devices on certified aircraft. Some 
devices can cause damage. Control locks have caused accidents, even when they 
can be easily removed. The order will also have economic impacts, with many 
locking devices costing up to $500.

"We are also concerned that the state is attempting to regulate what is 
really a federal matter. We'll take this to the highest levels necessary."

Boyer criticized the lack of widespread public involvement in the order. He 
noted that in a quick survey of some 100 New Jersey pilots, none knew about 
order taking effect on Friday.

Since the order covers all general aviation aircraft, AOPA is working with 
the National Business Aviation Association to push for changes. Many 
corporate aircraft have only one lock, and prop locks aren't an option for 
business jets.

Part of the issue is exactly what "two-lock system" really means. The New 
Jersey Department of Transportation has <A 
HREF="http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2003/030324letter.pdf";>sent a 
letter</A> to all of the state's 
airports attempting to define that, but it raises even more questions.

For example, AOPA asked if door lock and magneto key (as is common for most 
single-engine aircraft) meet the requirement. Or what about a locked aircraft 
inside a locked hangar? The state hasn't yet provided a written response.

"We appreciate the state's security concerns, but we think they've issued 
this order without thinking through all of the ramifications," said Boyer.

    
    
    
    

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