Transportation Security Administration’s security directive (SD) expanding the requirement for background checks and security badges to pilots based at commercial airports has come under fire from the Aircraft Owner’s and Pilots Association which is urging TSA to reconsider the rule because it would impact “10s of thousands of general aviation pilots based at air carrier airports.”
In 2009, AOPA E-publishing staff wrote, pilots based at air carrier airports must undergo a background check and receive a security badge, if they haven’t done so already, in order to continue to have access to the airport. Transient pilots are unaffected by the directive. However, they will continue to be subject to the current escorting and monitoring requirements.
AOPA charged TSA with preventing AOPA from reviewing the entire SD. However it gathered information from airport managers indicating that it is inconsistent with other security requirements, such as those for security identification display areas at air carrier airports, according to the AOPA report.
The organization cited the fact that these pilots have operated without incident at commercial airports. “It is surprising that the TSA appears to have implemented such a significant new mandate with no notification or discussion,” said Executive Vice President of Government Affairs Andy Cebula. “It will have a significant impact on pilots and airports in many small communities across the country. While TSA consulted with representatives from the airport industry prior to issuing the SD, no one from the general aviation community was contacted. This is unfortunate because we could have provided important insight into the effects of such action. I respectfully request that you re-examine this security directive and allow the general aviation industry to work with the TSA to develop acceptable alternatives that will not impose unreasonable burdens on airports or general aviation pilots.”