DHS Developing More GA Oversight Programs

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff said last week that more oversight is needed of general aviation aircraft coming into the United States. To that end, DHS is developing several programs that go further than the recent NPRM calling for all passengers screening and submission of passenger data before an aircraft takes off for the U.S. The NPRM, which extends its crew/passenger screening process to all general aviation flights leaving or entering the U.S. has been roundly criticized by industry, saying they over burden small operators and often, owing to communications problems at remote airports, cannot be followed. Related Story
In a speech before the NATA Business Aviation Roundtable, Chertoff spoke of additional screening programs for aircraft under development at the Transportation Security Administration with help from industry. His main concern, it seems, is large corporate jets that can be used as weapons. Even so, the new programs cut a wide swath across the entire general aviation industry and do not distinguish between large and small operations. He said many international corporate flights are not required to have security programs under current Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations and he aims to rectify that. AOPA immediately said industry will continue to oppose regulations that hamper general aviation and outweigh the actual threat from GA.
Under development are screening programs not only for illicit materials but for nuclear products as well, making full inspections for illicit material routing for all incoming flights. DHS wants the screening done as far from critical sites as possible, including before departure for the U.S. For the past two years, DHS’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) has led an effort to identify key vulnerabilities to weapons of mass destruction threats, specifically with regard to radioactive and nuclear (RN) items. DNDO, together with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is strengthening existing RN detection capability in the international general aviation and private aircraft environment. DNDO is evaluating and will acquire additional equipment to support CBP’s performance of this mission.
It has also partnered with Signature Flight Support to develop pre-screening programs that call on fixed base operators to provide additional security for flights inbound to the U.S. Signature is setting up a pilot program at several locations that serve as a last point of departure into the United States. TSA is targeting a rollout of the new program in Anchorage, Alaska, and Shannon, Ireland by year’s end. The program allows for FBOs to check manifests against Customers and Border Protection eAPIS filings to better identify the flight crew and passengers on board general aviation aircraft.
To enhance the department’s ability to enforce airspace rules from the CBP Air & Marine Operations Center (AMOC), DHS is planning to implement a joint program between the FAA, CBP, and TSA, known as Automatic Detection and Processing Terminal (ADAPT). This system will provide a critical advance warning for air traffic controllers and security personnel by allowing them to validate the identity, threat and movement of aircraft operating worldwide. This system is currently operational and will be significantly enhanced after its integration into CBP's AMOC at the end of November. This program, once fully integrated with CBP’s existing capabilities, will provide a substantial leap forward in the department’s ability to identify and process aircraft of interest.