Nice to see our tax dollars hard at work. Whether it is losing aircraft registration records (reported yesterday), losing airmen certification paperwork (occurs occasionally), losing our school's files dating back decades (as reported to me about 2 years ago), the innocent are always punished for the ineptitude of the guilty.
So the solution appears to be to simply re-register all 357,000 aircraft - that will surely take care of that security gap created by this mess. Here's a really neat idea: check the accuracy of all registry documents on a scheduled basis BEFORE the s**t hits the fan, develop an accuracy checking program, then digitize all documents, then duplicate all data, then repeat, then place all information of separate servers including secured digital "clouds", then repeat entire process again. Any records can be hacked, but based on history, we are our own worst enemy.
I hope no pilot ever lost their life due to an accident in his airplane that had a safety problem NOT reported to him in time (via registry data) because of just-recently discovered aircraft registry problems.
On a brighter note, I'm sure those responsible for this debacle will be punished - as we all know that means a lateral transfer to another department or a decrease in their raise next year. Heck - while the airlines, leasing companies, private aircraft owners, and banks are now losing their time and energy, the guilty parties may, in fact, only receive a minor promotion instead of a major one.
On that warm, fuzzy note I'll sign off.
EM/SS
