TSA Updates Its Flight Training Security Program

If you are a flight instructor and you train students, you need to be aware of the Transportation Security Administration’s Flight Training Security Program (“FTSP”).  The FTSP was created in an interim final rule that was updated and finalized on July 30, 2024.  Originally, the FTSP only applied to flight instruction that was being provided to non-U.S. citizens.  However, the FTSP now applies to all flight training providers (including those that train U.S. citizens).

TSA

To Whom Does The Rule Apply?

So, who is considered a “flight training provider”?  49 U.S.C. § 1552.3 defines a flight training provider as

• Any person that provides instruction under 49 U.S.C. subtitle VII, part A, in the operation of any aircraft or aircraft simulator in the United States or outside the United States, including any pilot school, flight training center, air carrier flight training facility, or individual flight instructor certificated under 14 CFR parts 61, 121, 135, 141, or 142;

• Similar persons certificated by foreign aviation authorities recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), who provide flight training services in the United States; and;

• Any lessor of an aircraft or aircraft simulator for flight training, if the person leasing their equipment is not covered by paragraph (1) or (2) of this definition.

The regulation defines flight instruction as instruction “in a fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft or aircraft simulator that is consistent with the requirements to obtain a new skill, certificate, or type rating, or to maintain a pilot certificate or rating.”  However, the regulation excludes:

• instruction in a balloon, glider, ultralight, or unmanned aircraft;

• ground training;

• demonstration flights for marketing purposes;

• simulated flights for entertainment purposes;

• or any flight training provided by or under contract with the DoD or U.S. Coast Guard.

What is Required?

Section 1552.17 requires a flight training provider to establish an account on the FTSP Portal and to also identify one person as the administrator for their FTSP Portal account.  This person may be the security coordinator or another employee.  In either case, the flight training provider must designate a security coordinator.  These requirements apply to all flight training providers, whether they train both non-US and U.S. citizens, or only U.S. citizens.

Pilot Crew

In addition to the initial security awareness training which the interim rule required be completed within 60 days of hire, Section 1552.13 now requires refresher security awareness training once every two years for each employee who has direct contact with flight students.  A flight training provider employee is an individual who provides services to a flight training provider whether as a paid employee or a volunteer, and who has direct contact with flight training students and candidates.  The individual may be an instructor, other authorized representative, or independent contractor.

Prior to participating in flight training, Section 1552.31 requires that candidates (non-U.S. citizens) have a valid determination of eligibility to participate in flight training.  Candidates are required to obtain an FTSP portal account to submit information and fees, and to initiate a security threat assessment.  They also select flight training providers through the FTSP portal.

The final rule has simplified the process for identifying training events by removing the weight of the aircraft and training categories considerations from the regulation.  However, the covered training events remain unchanged.  Additionally, candidates no longer notify TSA of training events.  Flight training providers must notify TSA of all candidate training event details through their portal account.

Conclusion

If you are a CFI providing flight instruction, it is important that you understand and comply with the FTSP.  Similar to the FAA, TSA can be unforgiving of violations.  You should review and familiarize yourself with the updated regulations.