The TSA in coordination with the FAA is sending this email as a reminder of the responsibilities that CFIs have when it comes to flight training providers. If you have any questions please address them to the email provided in the attached letter. Thank you.
April 2020
Dear Certified Flight Instructor:
On September 20, 2004, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued 49 C.F.R part 1552, Flight Training for Aliens and Other Designated Individuals; Security Awareness Training for Flight School Employees. This regulation requires aliens seeking flight training to submit specific information to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in order for DHS to determine whether or not the individual is a threat to civil aviation or national security; requires flight training providers to verify that an individual is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or a U.S. Department of Defense endorsee prior to providing flight training; requires initial and recurrent Security Awareness Training for certain designated individuals; and prohibits flight training providers from providing flight training to individuals who have been identified as a threat to civil aviation or national security.1
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, you are listed as a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) under 14 C.F.R. Part 61. This letter is to remind you of the requirements outlined above that may be applicable to the flight training you provide, and to let you know whom you may contact should you have any questions.
TSA and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) have several online resources available that provide guidance on 49 C.F.R. Part 1552 at the following web sites:
•e-CFR (search for 49 C.F.R. Part 1552): https://ecfr.io/Title-49/pt49.9.1552
•TSA Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP):https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/home/provider
•AOPA’s Security Awareness Training: http://flash.aopa.org/asf/gasecurity/gasecurity.cfm?
•National Association of Flight Instructors: https://www.nafinet.org/
If you have any questions please contact the TSA at FTP@tsa.dhs.gov. When sending an email message, please include your name and airport address (to include city and state) for which you provide flight training.
Sincerely,
Joseph Kris
Branch Manager – Domestic Compliance
Security Operations – Compliance
1 TSA has adopted the term Flight Training Provider, which includes any pilot school, flight training center, air carrier flight training facility, or individual flight instructor certificated under 14 CFR Parts 61, 121, 135, 141, or 142; or any other person or entity that provides instruction under 49 U.S.C. Subtitle VII, Part A, in the operation of any aircraft or aircraft simulator in the United States or outside the United States. Flight training provider also means similar organizations certificated by foreign aviation authorities recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), who provide training services in the United States. Flight training provider also includes employees or other persons providing services to a flight training provider, including a contractor or volunteer, paid or unpaid.
