Analytic Assessment of General Aviation Security Issues in the Post-9/11 Environment: Implications for the Small Aircraft Transportation System

Abstract

Until recently, security as a whole was often a low priority in the aviation regulatory environment. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of last summer, general aviation came under immediate scrutiny; concomitant to this, it became evident that security was lacking at airports of all sizes and levels of service. These developments created an unforeseen challenge for the Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS), a new generation of advanced small aircraft and supporting infrastructure designed to provide service to people underserved by current airline route networks. This article reports on policy-oriented research—conducted via a meta-analytic process—that analyzes the obstacles facing SATS in the post-September 11 security environment.