What is General Aviation ?
General aviation is a vital component of the aviation sector and the national economy.
GA SECURITY HOTLINE: 1-866-427-3287
General aviation encompasses a wide range of activities from pilot training to flying for business and personal reasons, delivery of emergency medical services, and sightseeing. Operations range from short-distance flights in single-engine light aircraft to long-distance international flights in corporate-owned 'wide-bodies', and from emergency aero-medical helicopter operations to airships loitering over open-air sporting events. The sole characteristic general aviation aircraft and operations have in common is that flights are not routinely scheduled; that is, they are on-demand.
General aviation accounts for some 77% of all flights in the United States. With more than 200,000 aircraft, 650,000 pilots and over 19,000 airports and landing strips, the general aviation industry provides jobs and opportunities for thousands of people who work at airports, run small businesses, provide support services and contribute to the vitality of communities across the nation. General aviation-related economic activity is estimated to be about $100 billion dollars annually. Additionally, general aviation related employment is estimated at 638,000 jobs.
TSA is working closely with the 17 GA associations that make up the General Aviation Coalition to ensure security mandates are based on threat analysis and risk management, balanced with common sense. We recognize that one-size security does not fit all, and that different solutions are required for different environments and different classes of operators.
General Aviation Security Initiatives:
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