TSA Flight Training Security Program Update – FAASTeam Notice

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Visit https://www.faasafety.gov/spans/noticeView.aspx?nid=14552 for this notice.

Visit my other blog post on this for more information on this and DHS guide for CFIs at TSA Citizenship Verification Requirements for Flight Training Providers

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published a final rule for the Flight Training Security Program (FTSP) that took effect on July 30, 2024. The updated and finalized regulation retains many of the interim final rule requirements. One major update is that all flight training providers (including those that train U.S. citizens) must register a provider account with FTSP.

The final rule also makes significant changes to reduce burdens on candidates and providers without impacting security. These changes include:

  1. Flight training providers must establish an account on the FTSP Portal and identify one person as the administrator for their FTSP Portal account. This person may be the security coordinator or another employee. This is required regardless of whether you provide flight training to non-U.S. citizens. (49 CFR §1552.17)
  2. You must designate a security coordinator to act as a single point of contact between you and the TSA. This requirement applies to all flight training providers, including those who only train U.S. citizens. (49 CFR §1552.9)
  3. Initial security awareness training must still be completed within 60 days of hire; however, refresher security awareness training is now required once every two years for each employee who has direct contact with flight students. (49 CFR §1552.13)
  4. Candidates must have a valid determination of eligibility to participate in flight training. (49 CFR §1552.31) NOTE: If a candidate’s determination of eligibility expires due to lawful presence documentation, all training must cease until the candidate submits updated documentation of authorization to remain in the United States.
  5. Simplified process for identifying training events. Considerations of weight of the aircraft and training categories are eliminated from the regulation. There are no changes from the interim final rule as to what training events are covered. (49 CFR §1552.3)
  6. The provider notifies the TSA of all training event details. Candidates select providers through the portal; they no longer provide their training event details to the TSA. You must notify the TSA about scheduled candidate training event(s) through your portal account. (49 CFR §1552.51)

The TSA has several online resources available that provide guidance on the FTSP:

FAA Special Programs Section (AFS-830)
Email: safetybriefing@faa.gov
Phone: 202-267-1100

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About Jason Blair

Jason Blair is an active single and multiengine instructor and an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner with over 6,000 hours total time, over 3,000 hours of instruction given, and more than 3000 hours in aircraft as a DPE. In his role as Examiner, over 2,000 pilot certificates have been issued. He has worked for and continues to work with multiple aviation associations with the work focusing on pilot training and testing. His experience as a pilot and instructor spans nearly 20 years and includes over 100 makes and models of aircraft flown. Jason Blair has published works in many aviation publications with a focus on training and safety.

Comments

TSA Flight Training Security Program Update – FAASTeam Notice — 1 Comment

  1. I am in agreement that there is a push to get applicants for pilot training programs (from private pilot to commercial) certificated as quickly as possible so those individuals can continue on and compete for future airline pilot positions. Along with initial certification as a private pilot, comes something called experience. Take off and landing experience, inflight experience, crosswind takeoff and landing experience in windy conditions helps develop skill and discipline. All this skill, discipline, and knowledge of course, comes with practice. That means acquiring lots of flight time. Whether or not we are owners of an airplane ourselves, or rent an airplane from a fixed base operator, actual acquired flight time to log in our pilot log books cost money. Every time a pilot takes off in an airplane for a flight and returns to the airport and finishes the flight with a few touch and go’s before taxing to the ramp to park and secure the aircraft, flight experience has been acquired. Pushing an applicant through a flight program is one thing. However, that individual cannot advance until he or she has acquired the required flight time. Flight time means more than just flight time, its experience as well. Pilot certification, whether private or commercial requires a minimum amount of flight hours. Actual flight time means experience. There is no way around it……I say up the flight time requirements for certification. I saved my money and bought a Cessna 150. I put a lot of flight on that airplane, and I gained lot of experience. That was my path towards commercial pilot certification, then eventually CFI, then ATP…..