The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have issued a joint bulletin to law enforcement and transportation agencies warning al-Qaida may be hatching a plot to use GA aircraft filled with explosives in attacks on the tenth anniversary of 9/11. The agencies, who, according to Politico, are describing the bulletin as "routine," say the terror organization has been recruiting Western operatives to take flight training. There is apparently no specific threat being mentioned.
Whatever plans may be afoot, the terrorists are apparently budget conscious. Rather than buying aircraft and modifying them at their leisure, the bulletin says they're planning to rent the aircraft. That would also seem to limit the destructive power of any flying bombs that might be created since the vast majority of rental aircraft are light singles. Nevertheless, expect increased security and scrutiny at your local airport as next Sunday gets nearer.
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