FEB. 5 HEARING SET FOR MEASURE TO REQUIRE BACKGROUND CHECKS ON FOREIGN FLIGHT STUDENTS TRAINING LOCALLY

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January 11, 2014 (El Cajon ) –Two hijackers who flew a plane into the Pentagon during the 911 attacks in 2011 got flight training at Montgomery Field in San Diego.  Yet to this day, no background checks are required for foreign flight students taking training locally - including a growing number of foreign flight students at Gillespie Field in  El Cajon. 

Supervisor Dianne Jacob aims to change that with an ordinance that would require background checks. Her measure will be heard by Supervisors on February 5th.

“I feel a responsibility to make sure that we do all that we can as a county government to keep the people safe,” Supervisor Jacob said, 10 News reported.

The proposed ordinance is supported by Advocates for Safe Airport Policies, a citizens’ group representing neighbors who live near Gillespie Field and have documented as many as 140 flights a day over their homes.

The measure is opposed by flight schools at Gillespie, who contend the checks would be too costly and cumbersome.

 


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