The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) recently applauded the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the Securing General Aviation and Commercial Charter Air Carrier Service Act of 2017.
Because general aviation and charter air carriers are a small percentage of stakeholders, they often fall to the bottom of Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) priorities. The bill aims to strengthen safety procedures in this often-overlooked group.
Under the bill, the TSA must conduct a cost-and- feasibility study on establishing web access for commercial operators to the Secure Flight system.
The TSA also must create a plan to implement the recommendations of the Aviation Security Advisory Council and must report to Congress the feasibility of requiring threat assessments for flight-school candidates.
The bill also authorizes the TSA to designate one employee to be responsible for general aviation issues and to provide screening services outside terminals if the carrier requests it.
“We applaud Rep. (Ron) Estes (R-KS) for introducing this important legislation, which would provide much needed streamlining of security for general aviation and commercial charter air carriers,” NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said. “The bill would offer more flexibility to general aviation and charter operations, while also increasing security.”
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.