Page 26 - Volume 16 Number 1

NATIONAL BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION • focusowners and operators an ability to “opt-out” of having their aviation movements tracked by anyone, anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.NBAA and other general aviation groups, joined by individuals and organizations in and outside the aviation industry, expressed alarm over the move, saying it represented an unwarranted invasion of the privacy of aircraft owners and operators, a threat to the competitiveness of U.S. companies and a potential security risk to persons on board.A bipartisan, bicameral group of congressional lawmakers agreed, and took a series of legislative actions in response to the government’s move to curtail the BARR.In September, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-4-KS) introduced a stand-alone bill, H.R. 2897, topreserve the program.The introduction of Rep. Pompeo’s bill was preceded by a similar measure, S. 1477, introduced by Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) the previous month.In July, 33 House lawmakers sent a letter asking Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to set aside his plans for the BARR.In June, a similar letter was sent by 26 senators.Details on how the BARR program will be reinstated have yet to be worked out, Bolen said, but it is clear that the FAA’s requirement for a “valid security concern” has been lifted, and that new applications made to the agency for BARR enrollment are being accepted. m24 • TWIN & TURBINE JANUARY 2012