Certainly the most infamous aviation crimes are terrorism and hijacking. Incidents are relatively rare, however, and limited mostly to the large commercial carriers operating in foreign countries. Hijackings and terrorist attacks directed towards private aircraft do occur, but the risk is not normally a cause for serious concern.
More common threats to general aviation are theft of aircraft and parts, particularly expensive avionics, and random vandalism. Business aviation may also face the threats of extortion by sabotage or hijacking to kidnap key personnel.
Aviation crime prevention, like home or business crime prevention, is primarily a matter of anticipating risks and eliminating them. Most crimes occur because a criminal found an easy opportunity with little danger of being observed or caught. Removing opportunity prevents crime. Even in high-risk business settings, aggressive prevention programs reduces the risk of successful attacks.
Anticipating the risk can be as simple as talking to other pilots or as involved as commissioning an in-depth risk analysis survey by security professionals. In most cases, a chat with fellow pilots, local police, and airport officials will give you a good idea of the risks you face.
Ideally, every parked aircraft is protected in a locked, alarmed and guarded hanger. Since the ideal is seldom possible, a program is needed which offers the greatest degree of protection under the broadest possible range of conditions. Programs will vary with the specific needs of the involved airport but basic elements remain the same.
Airports should maintain first level security for aircraft by providing secure hanger, tie down and ramp areas. Protection is achieved through a combination of security policies, access control and observation, and user awareness.
At a properly secured airport, access to aircraft is limited to owners, pilots, service personnel and other authorized persons. The general public is never permitted unescorted access to aircraft. Airports enforce these restrictions by providing adequate barriers between aircraft and the public. The barriers are generally fences with controlled gates which limit both pedestrian and vehicle traffic. And, barriers are supplemented by signs and notices clearly defining airport regulations, access limits and prohibited areas. Appropriate lighting is provided at control points and throughout hanger, tie down and ramp areas for nighttime observation.
Responsibility for enforcement of access restrictions lies primarily with airport officials. At large facilities this will include law enforcement or trained, professional security personnel. Even small airports will always have a representative of management available to observe and protect the aircraft.
An established airport security program doesn't relieve airport users of responsibility for their own protection. All unusual or suspicious persons and activities and violations of airport rules must be immediately reported. Security of individual aircraft can be enhanced by forming an "Airport Watch Program". This program is styled after the highly successful "Neighborhood Watch" concept used in residential areas.
By getting to know their airport neighbors, pilots can more readily recognize persons who don't belong. Just knowing that airport management and users are alert and willing to get involved is enough to deter most criminals.
Other features of "Neighborhood Watch" can also be applied to "Airport Watch". Target hardening can protect aircraft just as it protects buildings. Aircraft should always be locked and other security devices and alarm systems should be considered. Self-contained alarm systems can be effective deterrents, but only if someone hears them. Alarms used in conjunction with active security patrol can be highly effective. Sun shields installed on aircraft windows block prying eyes as well as solar rays. A thief is more likely to break into an aircraft when valuable components are clearly visible from outside.
When a loss occurs, the ability to positively identify property is crucial to its recovery and to prosecution of thieves and dealers in stolen goods. "Operation Identification" is another "Neighborhood Watch" program applicable to aircraft security. Serial numbers of all individually identifiable parts and equipment are recorded. When a loss is reported to police, serial numbers are entered into the National Crime Information Center's computerized stolen property file. This information is then directly available to police departments in the United States and Canada. Police agencies in other parts of the world may also receive stolen property information through international law enforcement networks.
Property without serial numbers should be prominently engraved with the owners state Driver's License or Identification number. Recovered property can be traced to the owner through state motor vehicle records. Hidden numbers, secret or coded numbers and Social Security numbers that are not associated with state vehicle records should be avoided. Hidden numbers may be missed, secret or coded numbers will probably be meaningless to police officers and difficult to trace back to the owner. Information about the holder of a social security number is considered confidential by the government and may be difficult or impossible for even law enforcement agencies to obtain.
Insurance is another important part of a protection plan. Unfortunately, it's sometimes seen as a substitute for security precautions. Since losses are covered by insurance, why worry about security? It's true insurance will probably replace stolen property and repair damage, but there is usually a deductible that must be satisfied by the insured. And, there are the intangibles that insurance doesn't address. Down time, inconvenience and aggravation don't normally have a dollar value. Finally, insurance companies don't like losses. Just one claim can result in increased rates and a loss history could result in cancellation. Even when no personal claims have been filed, the use of a facility with a poor loss record can result in prohibitively high premiums or denial of coverage.
Aviation, both as an industry and as a sport, is a leader in safety through prevention. Aircraft pre-flight, 100 hour and annual inspections and bi-annual review of pilot skills are prime examples of programs intended to identify and eliminate problems before the occur. Airport security and aircraft crime prevention programs are a necessary and logical extension of the aviation safety philosophy.