NBAA reported this week that the TSA is expected to release a new proposed security program for business aviation airplanes. The new proposal is expected to be significantly different from the large aircraft security program (LASP), which was proposed in 2008 and highly criticized by federal, state and local government officials as well as general aviation industry representatives.
The original proposal included requirements for all operators of airplanes weighing more than 12,500 pounds to implement security programs audited by the TSA. The proposal would have required security checks for flight crews, passengers and cargo, among other measures.
In addition to considering public comments regarding LASP, TSA’s deputy assistant administrator for Transportation Sector Network Management, Doug Hofsass, said the TSA used comments from business aircraft operators and NBAA staff from a security session at the recently concluded NBAA Annual Meeting and Convention as a basis for the amendment to the business aviation security proposal. “This rule is going to make a lot more sense, and it’s really good security,” said Hofsass.
“TSA heard our concerns about the most egregious elements of the original LASP proposal,” said Doug Carr, NBAA’s vice president for safety, security and regulation. NBAA expects the new rule to be introduced under a different name and include a “trusted pilot” element and a more intelligence driven, risk-based approach to security.
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