CAA: GA News, "Suggestions for Enhanced Security for Flight Schools and Fixed Base Operators"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

NOTICE
 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
 N 8700.12
  
 FLIGHT STANDARDS SERVICE
 01/09/02

 Cancellation
Date:  07/09/02

  
 SUBJ:
 SUGGESTIONS FOR ENHANCED SECURITY FOR FLIGHT SCHOOLS AND FIXED BASE
OPERATORS


1.   PURPOSE.  The information contained in this notice is provided to
aviation safety inspectors to allow them to assist flight schools and
fixed base operators in enhancing security in and around general
aviation airports and aircraft parking areas.

2.   BACKGROUND.  


      a.   Disseminated Information.  


           (1)  Public Use Airports.  In October 2001, the FAA's Office
of Airports sent security guidance to all public use airport and
airfield owners and operators.  The security guidance included direction
to contact local law enforcement to verify procedures to report
suspicious persons or activities at the airfield; report promptly
information indicating possible criminal activity to local law
enforcement; and distribute security guidance to all organizations on
the public use airport. 

           (2)  Flight Schools and Training Centers.  Inspectors have
received N 8700.11, Flight School and Training Center Requirements Under
the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, dated December 17, 2001,
with the requirement to advise flight schools and training centers of
the requirements of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act.  This
legislation required flight schools and training centers to advise the
Attorney General of any foreign applicants for flight instruction and to
provide the Attorney General specific information on these foreign
applicants.  The Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, and the Immigration and Naturalization Service are
outlining the process and the details on the information to be provided,
and once this is finalized, the process will be provided to flight
schools and training centers. 

          (3)  Flight Instructors.  Information similar to that to be
provided to flight schools and training centers regarding foreign
applicants will be mailed to all certificated flight instructors in the
country, once the process and information have been finalized.


     b.   Recent Events.  

           (1)  Unauthorized Flight.  On January 5, 2002, a 15-year old
student pilot took an aircraft without authorization from the flight
school where he had been taking flying lessons.  The student pilot took
off without clearance, traversed military airspace without permission,
and crashed into a 42-story building in downtown Tampa, Florida.  There
was damage to the building, but no one inside the building or on the
ground was injured by the crash itself or by falling debris.  There was
no fire, and the student was the only fatality.  The accident is still
under investigation and has raised concerns among the 
public and federal law enforcement organizations about the security of
general aviation and how that can be improved.  

           (2)  FAA/Industry Cooperation.  Flight Standards is working
with general aviation organizations such as the Aircraft Owners and
Pilots Association, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the National
Air Transportation Association, the National Association of Flight
Instructors, and the National Business Aviation Association, among
others, to encourage the adoption of these or similar recommendations.

3.   DISTRIBUTION.  This notice is distributed electronically to all
Flight Standards District Offices.

4.   APPLICABILITY.  This notice applies to principal inspectors of
flight schools and other aviation safety inspectors who have
surveillance responsibility for fixed base operators.

5.   ACTION.  

      a.    Inspectors.  

            (1)  Provide the following information to all flight schools
and fixed base operators within the jurisdiction of each Flight
Standards District Office.  (Consider using the office Safety Program
Manager to contact fixed base operators.)

            (2)  Encourage flight schools and fixed base operators to
implement applicable suggestions contained in this notice.

      b.  Alternative Dissemination.  The information contained in
paragraph 6 will be posted on the FAA public web site at the following
URL:  www.faa.gov.  (Click on the link "Flight School Security" at the
top of the page.)  Inspectors may refer flight schools and fixed base
operators with Internet access to that URL.  This information will also
be provided to the major general aviation advocacy groups for inclusion
on their Internet sites.

6.  SUGGESTIONS FOR ENHANCED SECURITY FOR FLIGHT SCHOOLS/FIXED BASE
OPERATORS.  

      a.   Business Considerations.  In view of the accident which
occurred on January 5, 2002, involving a 15-year old student pilot
taking an aircraft without authorization, an action which resulted in a
fatality to the student pilot, flight schools and fixed base operators
should consider implementing any of the following suggestions
appropriate to the size and scope of their flight operations.  Note that
some suggestions supersede or are more extensive than others, and
operators should adapt those that best fit their businesses.  Another
distinction to be made is whether these enhancements should apply to
student pilots once they have soloed, and the suggestions are geared
toward the pre-solo student pilot, some applying only to underage
student pilots.  Flight schools and fixed base operators should evaluate
their operations from a security standpoint and institute policies and
procedures commensurate with their specific business.  Before attempting
to implement any of these suggestions, consider designating an employee
as a security coordinator to be responsible for maintaining, upgrading,
and updating any security policies and procedures.

     b.   Possible Security Enhancements.

          (1) Use a different ignition key from the door lock key.  The
instructor would provide the ignition key when he or she arrives at the
aircraft.

          (2) Limit student pilot access to aircraft keys until the
student pilot has reached a specific point in the training curriculum,
i.e., successful completion of the pre-solo written test.

          (3) Before solo, keep student pilots under the supervision of
a flight instructor at all times, regardless of the student's age.

          (4) Consider having any student pilot check in with a specific
employee-i.e., dispatcher, aircraft scheduler, a flight instructor, or
some other "management" official-before being allowed access to parked
aircraft; or have the student sign or initial a form and not receive
keys until an instructor or other "management official" also signs or
initials.

          (5) Establish positive identification of any student pilot
before every flight lesson.

          (6) If the student pilot is not yet a legal adult at the time
of enrollment, the enrollment application, if applicable, should be
co-signed by a parent or legal guardian.

          (7) Even though a medical certificate is not required until
the student pilot is ready to solo, consider establishing a school/FBO
policy that the student pilot obtains the medical certificate before he
or she begins flight lessons.  (A medical certificate will be denied if
the individual has a disqualifying mental condition.)  Introductory
flights could be exempt from this policy.

          (8) To prevent unauthorized use of aircraft, take steps
appropriate to the specific type of aircraft to secure it when it is
unattended.

          (9) Consider having an instructor or other school or FBO
employee open the aircraft door and retain possession of the key during
the student pilot's preflight inspection.

          (10) Place a prominent sign near areas of public access
warning against tampering with or unauthorized use of aircraft; clearly
post emergency telephone numbers (police, fire, FBI) so that people may
report suspicious activity.  (Emphasize that people other than employees
should not take action on suspicious activity but should report it to
the appropriate law enforcement authority.)

          (11) Train employees as well as pilots who regularly use the
aircraft to be on the lookout for suspicious activity, e.g., transient
aircraft with unusual or unauthorized modifications; persons loitering
for extended periods in the vicinity of parked aircraft or in pilot
lounges; pilots who appear to be under the control of another person;
persons wishing to rent 
aircraft without presenting proper credentials or identification;
persons who present apparently valid credentials but who do not display
a corresponding level of aviation knowledge; any pilot who makes threats
or statements inconsistent with 
normal uses or aircraft; or events or circumstances that do not fit the
pattern of lawful, normal activity at an airport.

7.   DISPOSITION.  This notice will not be included in an upcoming
change to Order 8700.1 and will expire on the date indicated above.  If
additional guidance is necessary, it will be published in a separate
notice (i.e., notices are not amended or changed).  Any questions
concerning this notice should be directed to the General Aviation and
Commercial Division, AFS-800, (202) 267-8212.

Original signed by
James J. Ballough

Director
Flight Standards Service


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