Security Initiatives
General Aviation
Security Advisories | Security Initiatives
Security Action Items
These voluntary action items as measures that aircraft operators and fixed base operators should consider when they develop, implement or revise security plans or in other efforts to enhance security. These action items are intended to provide guidance to aircraft operators and fixed base operators as they implement security measures best suited to their particular circumstances. The SAIs should not conflict in any way with operational requirements outlined in federal regulations.
TSA recognizes that a wide diversity of operations exist within General Aviation (GA), and some of the suggested security measures may not be suitable for all operators, especially those with smaller-scale operations. Consequently, there are recommendations and guidelines contained in these documents that might be considered highly beneficial for one type of operator while being virtually impossible to implement for another. The purpose of these documents is to provide a list of options, ideas, and suggestions for the aircraft operator to choose from when considering implementation of security enhancements.
General Aviation Hotline and Airport Watch
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has developed and implemented a general aviation (GA) hotline in partnership with the National Response Center. The GA Hotline serves as a centralized reporting system for general aviation pilots, airport operators, and maintenance technicians wishing to report suspicious activity at their airfield.
(1-866-427-3287)
The hotline was developed in coordination with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) to complement the AOPA Airport Watch Program. This program enlists the support of some 550,000 general aviation pilots to watch for and report suspicious activities that might have security implications. AOPA has distributed Airport Watch materials to 5,400 public-use general aviation airports, several pilot groups, and thousands of individual pilots. To build on the success of these local efforts, the program includes special materials including a video to train pilots to be alert for sinister people or activities on the airport. Online GA security training, developed by AOPA in partnership with TSA, is available here.
Airport Security Guidelines
In April 2003, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requested the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) establish a Working Group made up of industry stakeholders to develop guidelines for security enhancements at the nation's privately and publicly owned and operated general aviation (GA) landing facilities. This listing of recommended guidelines or "best practices" was designed to establish non-regulatory standards for general aviation airport security. Their primary purpose is to help prevent the unauthorized use of a general aviation aircraft in an act of terrorism against the United States.
The Working Group consisted of GA industry associations, airport operators, and state and federal government representatives. Members of the Working Group engaged in extensive discussions to review numerous general aviation airport security recommendations and industry best practices. The result of this effort was the "Report of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee Working Group on Aviation Airports Security" (PDF, 234 KB).
On November 17, 2003, the ASAC formally transmitted the recommendations to TSA. TSA used this document as a baseline from which to craft this Information Publication (IP). This IP, titled, "Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports" (PDF, 701 KB), constitutes a set of federally endorsed guidelines for enhancing airport security at GA facilities throughout the nation. It is intended to provide GA airport owners, operators, and users with guidelines and recommendations that address aviation security concepts, technology, and enhancements.
TSA Access Certification
TSA has launched a pilot project in cooperation with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) at Teterboro Airport and Morristown Municipal Airport in New Jersey and White Plains Airport in New York. The initiative is proceeding as a "proof-of-concept" to validate an NBAA-proposed security protocol, which would lead to a TSAAC (TSA Access Certification) and a corporate waiver for certain types of operations (i.e., international flights to and from the United States). Phase I of the pilot was completed on June 30, 2003. Phase II of the pilot program was completed on December 31, 2003.
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