WASHINGTON, DC, October 9, 2008 – The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) issued the following statement regarding today’s release of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM):

“The security of the U.S. and global aviation system is of utmost concern to the general aviation industry,” said GAMA President and CEO, Pete Bunce. “Therefore, we appreciate that the TSA has undertaken a rulemaking process which will allow for comment from the members of our industry.”

“GAMA will be reviewing this NPRM to ensure that it addresses potential security risks with methods of compliance that do not restrict the utility of general aviation aircraft. Measured against this standard, our initial read of the NPRM concerns us in that some very burdensome requirements may not provide commensurate security benefits to an already safe and secure industry.”

Bunce added, "We look forward to continued participation in this deliberative process, constructively working with TSA and other stakeholders to meet legitimate security concerns in effective, practical ways.”