TSA orders new Flight Instructor Procedures
AOPA is reporting that the
TSA has imposed new procedures on all flight schools and instructors, including freelance instructors. Starting within the next 30 days, all schools and instructors must register with the TSA. Instructors must determine if any student is a foreign national, and notify the TSA. The instructor must send a photo of the student and other documentation to the TSA, and the student must also send information to the TSA along with a $130 application fee. Instructors will also be required to attend recurrent "security awareness training", and maintain records for 5 years and be subject to TSA Audit.
This appears to be a quickly drafted and potentially very onerous regulation. It will impact even instructors who teach in small aircraft like J3 Cubs and other very light aircraft. The TSA put the rule in place with no opportunity for comment.
Update 2004/09/22: AOPA now reports that
comments can be filed by October 20, 2004, at
http://dms.dot.gov/. Identify TSA's docket number: TSA-2004-19147.
Update 2004/09/25: EAA has posted a more
detailed analysis of the new rules here.