(August 15, 2004) - On August 11, the American Association of Airport Executives sent a security notice to its members that described an attempted GA facility breach by a network news agency. In an effort to show allegedly lax security procedures, NBC News attempted to penetrate a charter helicopter operation at St. Louis Downtown Airport. The attempt was thwarted and the individuals were apprehended. Though this breach of security was stopped, NBC and other news agencies may attempt to repeat their efforts at other facilities around the country.

Fostaire Helicopters explain they received a call from the prospective customer inquiring about a scenic flight. The caller, who indicated that price was no object, asked how close he and another traveller could get to the St Louis landmarks. This line of inquiry initially raised the suspicions of the charter employees who answered the call. Their suspicions were heightened when two men arrived at the charter facility carrying duffel bags and backpacks. The two men were carrying luggage with concealed box cutters, knives and other weapons and planned to pay for the charter flight with cash. Arlene Thomas, vice president of Fostaire Helicopters, was immediately suspicious and stalled for time while the FBI and local police were called. The police came and arrested the two individuals and later determined that they were on assignment for NBC to produce a story on how easy it is to charter a helicopter for a terrorist flight.

National Air Transportation Association (NATA) president James K. Coyne sent a letter to the president of NBC News, Neil Shapiro, demanding an apology to Fostaire. "NBC owes Arlene and Clarke Thomas a huge apology," stated NATA president James K. Coyne. "Not only is this an egregious waste of time for all involved but it calls law enforcement authorities away from what could be real emergencies. It's harassment-pure and simple, and inexcusable. We have said all along that charter operators have a built-in security mechanism that was in place long before 9/11," added Coyne. "Part of it is knowing your customers and part of it is being constantly alert. This incident proves without a doubt that the system works."