Flightwise / news item

FAA Open BARR
12/4/2011 9:31:06 AM

The FAA announced Friday that it will no longer require operators to provide a valid security concern -- or any other requirement -- to participate in a specific program that prevents IFR flight information from displayed online. Those who want to enroll aircraft in the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program for the sake of privacy, or any other reason, may now do so simply by properly asking. The National Business Aviation Association, Experimental Aircraft Association and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association all fought for that outcome and welcomed the change.

A statement released by AOPA quoted NBAA president and CEO, Ed Bolen, saying "NBAA and its members thank the leaders in congress for taking action to address our industry's long-standing concern that curtailment of the BARR program represents an invasion of privacy, a competitive threat to businesses, and a potential security risk." EAA president and CEO, Rod Hightower said his organization appreciated the efforts of congress "to preserve the privacy rights of aviators... ." And AOPA president and CEO Craig Fuller said the change recognized "the importance of assuring a measure of privacy protection to individuals operating their own aircraft."