Boston Globe Spotlight report: Secrets in the sky - Part One
“Criminals find that US planes allow them to fly under the radar far more easily than if using some dodgy Russian aircraft,” CAP ED Kathi Lynn Austin recently told the Boston Globe. “The simple act of flying out of US airspace — where regulatory standards are perceived to be high — conveys a level of legitimacy on its aircraft and its operator. The American flag also makes it easier for corrupt officials to wittingly turn a blind eye.”
Lax U.S. aviation laws have allowed drug dealers, terrorists (like 9/11's Mohammed Atta), and other criminals to disguise the true owners of aircraft, gain easy access to pilot's licenses, and operate internationally with very little accountability. Read the Globe's stellar in-depth investigation, which shines a much-needed spotlight on the changes required at the national level.
