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Aviation History
2001
2001 - 3211.PDF
TERROR AFTERMATH HIJACK PRECAUTIONS GUY NORRIS / SEATTLE US Government teams work on radical aircraft security measures Armed sky marshals and bullet-proof flightdeck doors are two of the solutions being urgently considered US airlines, manufacturers and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) are working with the US Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transport (DoT) on an urgent programme to develop and implement enhanced security measures, including bulletproof flightdeck doors and bulkheads and on-board armed "air marshals". On 16 September Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta estab lished two rapid response teams made up of representatives from the industry to work on improve ments to national aviation system security. One is focusing on air craft, the other on airport security. Both must report by 1 October. ALPA president Duane Woerth says the priority is the armoured flightdeck door - an idea which the pilot's union had previously opposed. Woerth says: "I want a certification process approved by the FAA, the manufacturer and ALPA." Industry vendors in several countries, including Israel, the UK and the USA are considering part nerships in view of the sheer scale of the prospective retrofit market. United Airlines began the Nowhere in the world has tighter avia tion security precautions than Israel. In the light of the call by many nations for enhanced security at airports and on aircraft the country's methods are coming in for close scrutiny. National airline El Al operates a comprehensive security system, on the ground and in the air. However, it comes with a price. Estimates put the cost at more than $80 million annually, very large for a carrier of its size. The government covers 70% of the cost. Details of the El Al security system are classified. However, it is widely known that armed security guards fly on every flight and guards also sur- process within 48h of the attack, asking suppliers for immediate solutions that could be imple mented within 30 days, and longer-term security solutions involving more significant redesigns of bulkheads, doors, for ward fuselage interiors and cabin systems. The FAA is expected to issue emergency airworthiness round the aircraft when on the ground in foreign airports. A profile screening system used in Ben-Gurion airport in Tel-Aviv and other destinations is used to cross- examine every passenger. If the first security officer is not satisfied with tile answers, another, more senior, is called in. If they are still not satisfied, a search is conducted of the passen ger's luggage. Israelis are used to the security checks, but tourists sometimes com plain about the personal nature of the questions. As a result, after a long evaluation, the Israel Airport Authority (IAA), recently persuaded the security service to begin a pilot scheme using directives to support the action. Known vendors of armoured or strengthened doors include the Israel-based suppliers of double doors to El Al, and a UK company that provided titanium cockpit doors for Swissair Boeing MD-lls designated to carry gold bullion. The Swissair aircraft also had cabin cameras fitted among several other technology rather than manpower. In the scheme the passengers enter a closed area in the check-in hall, and put their luggage on the conveyor belts of an advanced X-ray machine while they go directly to the passport control. The system is based on off- the-shelf machines, but the software was adapted to the requirements of the Israelis. Commercial cargo carried on El Al flights is put through special decompression chambers, to activate any altitude-sensitive detonation mechanisms. El Al and the other Israeli airlines do not just rely on ground screening. Aircraft are modified after delivery by security measures. Flight Structures, a B/E Aerospace company in Arlington, Washington, also sup plied Kevlar-based bullet-proof flight deck doors to South Korean airline Asiana. Although the 11 September ter rorists used knives and cutters as weapons, the barrier is "...not to stop the hijacker's bullet, but the bullet from the air marshal". The team is considering weaponry for pilots as well as providing armed air marshals for flights - the FAA is already advertising to recruit them. Short-term fixes being studied within the industry include the attachment of composite or Kevlar cross-weave layers to flightdeck doors and bulkheads. Longer term solutions under study involve totally redesigned bulkheads, El Al style twin flightdeck doors and built-in cabin security cameras. Certification concerns include depressurisation vents in the doors, and the use of Kevlar and other bulletproof composites in a cabin environment. Aside from addi tional weight and consequent pay- load loss, the airlines face the high cost and disruption of the retrofit. installing "special security features". These are classified, although the one visible measure is two reinforced cockpit doors configured so that access cannot be gained if a hijacker attempts to rush the cockpit when one of the doors is opened. Speaking to Air Transport Intelligence reporter Aaron Karp at the Airports Council International meeting in Montreal earlier this month, IAA director Yomtob Sabah made it clear that the quality and training of security staff were paramount. Security officials are aged between 21 and 25 and should have a high IQ, he said. Training and regular rotation of duties are also essential. PASSENGER SCREENING Israelis lead world in aviation security at check in and on board A US study is considering arming flight crew as well as sky marshals www.flightinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 25 SEPTEM BER - 1 OCTOBER 2001 7
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