The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued a rule that requires aircraft manufacturers install a secondary barrier on the flight deck of new commercial airplanes.
The final rule mandating the additional barrier will protect flight decks from intrusion when the flight deck door is open and ensure the safety of aircraft, flight crew and air passengers. It will apply to commercial aircraft produced after the rule goes into effect.
“No pilot should have to worry about an intrusion on the flight deck,” David Boulter, acting FAA associate administrator for safety, said.
On June 14, the FAA acting administrator signed the final rule. It will be published on the Federal Register’s website. The docket will not go live until publication.
Formatting and editorial requirements could result in minor changes in the published document.
“Every day, pilots and flight crews transport millions of Americans safely — and today we are taking another important step to make sure they have the physical protections they deserve,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
The FAA proposed the rule in 2022 after seeking recommendations from aircraft manufacturers and labor partners. It meets a requirement of the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act. In 2021, the Biden-Harris administration made enacting the rule a priority.