County Considers New Rules for Flight Schools, to Prevent Terrorism

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors next week will consider supporting federal legislation to tighten scrutiny on foreign nationals who attempt to receive flight training in the U.S.

At their Tuesday meeting, supervisors also will consider a proposed local ordinance to require 11 flight schools that operate at San Diego County- run airports, to comply with vetting and screening programs for foreign students.

The proposal by Supervisor Dianne Jacobs calls it a "travesty" that nearly 11 years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, federal agencies have not done enough to prevent a reoccurrence.

She cited a July report from the General Accounting Office that said foreign nationals who are security risks could use loopholes in order to receive flight training.

Several of the September 11 hijackers lived in San Diego, but did not receive flight training in the area. Others trained at flight schools in other U.S. cities.

HR 6159 would require all foreign nationals who apply to flight schools be checked against a terrorist watch list.

The federal bill has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Transportation.

- City News Service