Business Aviation at DCA: No Longer An Operational Mystery February 29. 2012
Lisa Piccione Senior Vice President, Government Affairs NBAA
Short Historic Review Business Aviation returns to DCA in October, 2005 12 portal airports Daylight hours of operation No flexibility in adjusting to operational realties 1-2 flights per week
Polling Question Which airports in the U.S. currently require slots for unscheduled operations: DCA and LGA DCA Only DCA, LGA and ORD 4
Protecting GA Access to DCA DCA remains the only airport slot controlled by law in the U.S. Through mid-2011, many GA slots went unused Most recent FAA reauthorization could have reallocated GA s daily slots, significantly reducing GA access to DCA Without continued and growing use of DCA, next FAA reauthorization could successfully reduce slots at DCA for GA.
Kerwin Wilson Acting General Manager General Aviation Division Transportation Security Administration
Airspace Coordination General Aviation Division DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP) The Basics Created in 2005 to restore access to GA operators to DCA Program requires: Vetting of Security Coordinators and Flightcrew Screening/search of PAX, baggage, and aircraft Flight authorization processed by TSA HQ FAA Slot Reservation On board Armed Security Officer when passengers are present Departure from an authorized FBO at a Gateway Airport 7
Airspace Coordination General Aviation Division DASSP Program History 2005 - DASSP program was initiated as an Interim Final Rule (IFR) 12 Gateways were established 2011 Feb DASSP program management functions were transferred to TSNM-General Aviation 97 approved Aircraft Operators 45 approved FBO s 8
Airspace Coordination General Aviation Division DASSP Program History 2/2011 Present: 153 approved aircraft operators 104 approved FBO s at 63 airports Operations have increased avg. 50% Program modifications Flexibility to screening times Flexibility to swap vetted crew Flexibility to swap aircraft Increased communications with TSA field Increased coordination with other security and defense agencies 9
Focus for 2012 Airspace Coordination General Aviation Division DASSP Into the future 3 rd Party Screening Pilot Phase 2 Operations by Private Persons Further Program Management Refinements Standardized Training Increased use of the WebBoard Quarterly Operator/FBO DASSP TelCons Review of the ASO Requirement 10
Mary Miller Vice President, Industry and Government Affairs Signature Flight Support
Why are more operators interested? Flexibility Increased Hours of Operation Increased Number of Gateways Prohibited Items list normalized Signature Flight Support 2010
Polling Question When operating out of a gateway airport en-route to DCA, what type of screening must passengers normally undergo? Visit the airline security checkpoint and proceed through TSA screening Coordinate with TSA for screening at the FBO or other approved departure location Passengers are not required to be screened by TSA before departing for DCA. 13
Gateway Trends Signature Flight Support
Gateway Airports - Pending Gateways Signature Flight Support 2010
Greg Kulis Chairman, NBAA Security Council
Where to Begin? Name a security coordinator for your operation Complete the Aircraft Operator Application Complete the Non-Disclosure Agreement Return both forms to TSA
Initial Contact with TSA General Aviation Division TSNM 1: Jimmy Elmore Phone: 571-227-5558 2: Will Ellis Phone: 571-227-3991 3: Mike Petrone Phone: 571-227-2170 4:Alfonso DiazDelCastillo Phone: 571-227-2208 5: Bogdan Dzakovic Phone: 571-227-1338 6: Lisa Borbe-Haught Phone: 571-227-5466 7: Tony Tranumn Phone: 571-227-2619 8: Juan Barnes Phone: 571-227-3045 5 7 8 3 1 6 4 4 2 6 1
Role of Local TSA Office After reviewing web site materials and submitting your application contact your local TSA Office Discuss your plans to become an approved DCA Access Operator Local TSA will assign an inspector to your operation- they can assist and expedite the process
Implement DASSP Complete fingerprint based criminal history records checks (CHRC) for flight crew www.natacompliance.com (DCA Access Link) FAA Records Check for Pilots Receive the DASSP program from TSA Implement program requirements Prepare for compliance inspection by TSA
Armed Security Officer Program Regulators negotiating the terms of the DASSP used the term Airline Equivalent Security General aviation aircraft do not have hardened cockpit doors ASO Program was a negotiated compromise to prevent a flight deck intrusion TSA does understand the difference in the risk profile between a private aircraft with known passengers and a charter aircraft with passenger unknown to the crew. Discussions have taken place to consider revisions to the ASO requirement in the case of private aircraft with known passengers
Armed Security Officer Requirements Must be nominated by an approved DASSP Operator or FBO Administered by the Federal Air-Marshall Service (FAMS) Includes Background Checks, Training and Firearms Qualification Current Law- Enforcement Officer May be Federal, State or Local Retired Law-Enforcement Officer Former Law-Enforcement Officer Minimum of 4 years Full Time Experience Must have completed a certificated law-enforcement training program by and approved Federal, State, or Local Agency
Polling Question When is an ASO required to be on board the aircraft for flights to/from DCA? The ASO must be on board every flight to/from DCA The ASO is required to be on board flights carrying passengers to/from DCA The ASO is only required if specifically requested by TSA for a certain flight 23
Armed Security Officer (Continued) ASO required for all flights into/out of DCA with passenger on board ASO not required for crew only flights into/out of DCA to pickup/drop off passengers. Many approved operators have retired law-enforcement on corporate security staff. ASO s are often chosen from current employees A person may not serve as both a pilot and ASO on the same flight. Can operators obtain an ASO on a temporary/contract basis?
Planning a Flight to DCA Reserve tentative slot with FAA up to 72 hours before proposed operation TSA flight authorization can be requested at anytime before flight Visit: http://www.fly.faa.gov/ecvrs/index.html to request a slot through the Computerized Voice Reservation System (e-cvrs)
Request Flight Authorization Utilize the TSA/FAA Airspace Waiver & Access Program to request DCA flight authorization. Provide information on aircraft, passenger and crew Application must be completed at least 24 hours before departure time Passenger changes prohibited within 24 hours of departure time Previously vetted flight crew and aircraft changes can be made within 24 hours Receive final authorization from TSA Visit: https://waiver.c3.faa.gov/ to request flight authorization
Gateway Airports Once flight is approved operator must contact gateway airport and Signature DCA to notify them of flight Passengers/Aircraft will undergo screening by TSA at gateway airport All flights must operate from approved gateway to DCA No intermediate stops allowed
Helpful Hints All passenger names must be submitted on TSA Flight Application at least 24 hours in advance. Include names of any passengers who might be going. You can always delete names but you cannot add within 24 hours Crew and aircraft changes can be made up to two-hours in advance Back-up aircraft and crew can be included on trip request to cover in the event of an aircraft mechanical or crew illness. Make confirmation phone calls yourself. TSA communication break-downs sometimes occur. Contact local TSA office at departure gateway to confirm times and availability of screeners.
Flight Plan Filing Flight Plans MUST be filed telephonically with the Leesburg Flight Service Station FRZ Hotline at 1-866-225-7410. REMEMBER - Get the initials of the briefer you speak with at the FSS. Once the crew and passengers have been cleared by TSA you must call the National Capital Region Coordination Center at 703-563-3219 to advise them of your impending departure. This alerts them to your entry into DC airspace. This call must be made prior to departure from the Gateway airport or prior to departing DCA. REMEMBER - Get the initials of the agent that you speak with at the NCRCC.
For More Information NBAA Website: http://www.nbaa.org/ops/security/programs/dassp/ TSA Website: http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/tsnm/general_aviation/ programs_sp.shtm NBAA Operations Service Group: (202) 783-9250 info@nbaa.org