Bob Orr: just trying open a dialogue!

Here is the CBS correspondent's reply to pilots' critcism, as
published in the Aero-News email newsletter this morning. (I
especially like the line about diverting our energies to finding a
solution!)

***********************************************


....I'm sure you're aware that I have been thoroughly castigated
by AOPA members for a story that was completely about the
GOVERNMENT'S responsibilities in protecting our national air space
and security.

We're confident the story was factual, fair, and in context
(when you consider we've done scores of reports since 9/11 about
commercial aviation vulnerabilities and this ONE regarding general
aviation). There's little doubt commercial jetliners and large
metro airports are more likely to be targeted by terrorists than a
Cessna sitting on an FBO tarmac in Iowa. But, since the mid 1990's
terrorists have shown a continuing interest in using small planes
to deliver explosives and/or chem-bio weapons. After 9/11 we cannot
afford to assume that anything is safe.

The bottom line is the
government has STUDIED the challenge of securing some 19-thousand
diverse airfields, but to this point has relied on VOLUNTARY
measures such as "Airport Watch" to provide the security. Now, I
realize a number of aircraft owners and operatives don't want any
more government regulations to go along with all of those
bothersome flight restrictions.

But, I would maintain, now is the time to have an honest
discussion about reasonable steps to make GA uniformly safer and
more secure. I don't think any of us want to wait until after
something happens. I'm not predicting an attack involving GA
aircraft, and in fact, I pray that never occurs. But, that doesn't
mean we should completely disregard any terror possibility no
matter how small it might be or how irritating the report is to any
particular sector, group, or association.

I'm sorry this story has stirred up so many hard feelings. That
was never the intention. At the same time, I think the uproar is a
bit overdone.

It's my hope now that some of the energies being spent in this
debate over journalism might be applied to finding workable,
affordable security solutions we can all live with.
Sincerely, Bob Orr
FMI: www.cbs.com

For the WHOLE story, go to
http://www.aero-news.net/news/genav....b-f63dfebc5b46


all the best -- Dan Ford
email:

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