This letter will be going in the mail tomorrow, 10/12/2005.

George Shattuck

                                                                                    1000 Kimbrough Hill Loop

                                                                                    Greensboro, Georgia 30642

                                                                                    October 11, 2005

The Honorable Charlie Norwood Jr.

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515-1009                                      Docket Number: FAA-2004-17005

Dear Mr. Norwood,

This letter is for the purpose of expressing my concern that the FAA intends to make permanent the temporary flight restrictions that currently exist in the Washington, DC area.  The Docket Number is referenced above. 

I want you to know that I most fervently oppose this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and I want you to actively work for its defeat. Although this NPRM seems like a small thing, it is a small step toward a larger and unnecessary set of restrictions around the country that would most surely come.  I understand the necessity for protecting our capital and its assets, but this ruling, if enacted, would impose restrictions which are excessive and do little to enhance security.

I keep my aircraft at the Greensboro, Georgia airport and fly roughly 100 hours a year only in VFR conditions.  My son, daughter-in-law and three grandkids live near Manassas, Virginia and I fly up to see them periodically.  The Washington, DC Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) is an unnecessary, unworkable, major burden on me and, I think, on all general aviation pilots and the controllers who must work the system.    I certainly am not a threat nor is any general aviation aircraft a threat.  I think the records would show that general aviation has never been involved in a terrorist event.  Our aircraft are too small, too slow, with no mass load capability which could be of any concern.  The Washington ADIZ must not be made permanent.

We are all concerned about the terrorist threats, or at least we should be.  This proposed rule would, however, provide minimal security benefits while imposing serious economic and operational impacts on pilots and aviation businesses.  There are more simple and rational security procedures that can be implemented without setting a dangerous precedent that threatens general aviation pilots across the nation.

I hope I can count on you to track this piece of rulemaking from the FAA and work toward its defeat.

Thank you.

                                                                                    George Shattuck