General Aviation in the post September 11th era
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Post September 11th, 2001 has scarred America with paranoia, mistrust, and a feeling of vulnerability that will continue for millennia. When the public gives thought to aircraft these days, many presumptions arise as to the complexities and safety of the dauntless creatures. Often times the sound of a passing aircraft brings about memories of the tragedies that occurred on that September day. Unfortunately there is great dilemma between the public's belief that small aircraft can be used as terrorist tools, and the General Aviation aircraft owners and Pilots who fall prey to regulations and scrutiny caused by this very argument.
When people think of aircraft, they often think of large jetliners, the 737, 747, MD-83, etc. However, there is another type of aircraft that has taken the abundance of attention concerning the threat of aircraft as terrorist tools. These aircraft have flown over our heads for almost 100 years now without incident or attack. They are the smaller types known as General Aviation Aircraft. Their owners, often the middle class blue-collar citizen, are trained as pilots to fly only those aircraft confined by weight, engine capacity, and speed. These aircraft, raging from the economical Cessna 172, to the luxurious Beechcraft Baron 350, can carry little more then their own weight, fuel, and 2 to 3 average adults...