[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           IN SUPPORT OF AOPA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY G. MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 2003

  Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
support of the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association's (AOPA) Airport 
Support Network to save general aviation public use airports in 
California and across the entire United States. AOPA is the world's 
largest civil aviation organization, representing over 395,000 members 
who own or fly general aviation aircraft--more than half of all pilots 
in the United States.
  Public and privately owned general aviation airports across the 
nation have fallen victim to mounting pressures for closure and 
restrictions; California airports are no exception. These community 
airports play a critical role to provide general aviation access to the 
San Diego community and the entire national air transportation system.
  AOPA has pioneered two critical programs that work to protect and 
preserve safe and secure access of general aviation pilots to the 
nation's airspace and airports--the Airport Support Network and the 
Airport Watch Program.
  The AOPA Airport Support Network provides a vehicle for pilots to 
communicate with AOPA. The program establishes an early warning system 
to alert AOPA and local communities of any efforts that may threaten 
airport viability. AOPA's Airport Support Network uses pilots as the 
``eyes and ears'' at every public use airport, to preserve general 
aviation airports and their role in the national air transportation 
system.
  The Airport Support Network has been very successful in my home state 
of California. AOPA efforts have produced successful steps toward the 
preservation of two very important California general aviation 
airports--Oceanside Municipal and Montgomery Field. The Airport Support 
Network encourages communication and activity that most recently 
resulted in the city council of Oceanside supporting an airport master 
plan that will ensure continued operations at the airport. I am 
encouraged by these efforts and believe that the Airport Support 
Network will help ensure that our system of general aviation airports 
remains protected and viable.
  Airport Watch Program, formed out of a partnership between AOPA and 
TSA, was created to keep these viable airports safe and secure. Pilots 
and members of the general aviation community are being instructed in 
what to look for in the manner of suspicious activity at their 
airports. Educational materials have disseminated throughout the 
aviation community. Pilots are instructed to either contact local 
authorities or report suspicious activity to a nationwide toll free 
hotline--1-866-GA-SECURE.
  Airport Watch is a great example of AOPA's efforts to promote 
security while preserving the freedom of the skies.
  Again, I want to commend the AOPA and the over 49,000 members 
residing in the great state of California. I strongly support keeping 
general aviation airports open and will continue work with them in 
their efforts towards this end.

                          ____________________