WASHINGTON, DC, -- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it has transmitted to the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would strengthen the security of general aviation by further minimizing the vulnerability of aircraft being used as weapons or to transport dangerous people or materials. The proposed regulation would reduce the susceptibility of large aircraft misuse by individuals wishing to harm the United States and its citizens.
The Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) regulation would require all U.S. operators of aircraft exceeding 12,500 pounds maximum take-off weight to implement security programs that would be subject to compliance audits by TSA. The proposed regulation would also require operators to verify that passengers are not on the No Fly and/or Selectee portions of the federal government's consolidated terrorist watch list.
"General aviation operators are excellent security partners and this will give them a strong common framework for security that will reduce risk while supporting the open nature of the general aviation industry," said TSA Administrator Kip Hawley.
The Large Aircraft Security Program is a significant component in the department's plans to enhance domestic general aviation security. The LASP would require currently unregulated general aviation operations over a specific weight threshold to adopt security measures, which would align these operations with operations currently regulated for security purposes.
TSA continues to enhance international and domestic general aviation security by developing a comprehensive strategy to:
-- Establish baseline standards of security for general aviation operations; -- Ensure that flight crews have undergone a fingerprint-based criminal history records and terrorist name check; -- Designate security coordinators; -- Conduct watch list matching of passengers through TSA-approved watch list matching service provider; and -- Check/validate property on board for unauthorized persons and accessible weapons
Today's proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register and open to public comment for 60 days. Persons wishing to comment on the proposed rule may access the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for submitting comments. For more information please visit www.tsa.gov.
