A confession: We really hate to give the TSA any ink in these pages, but it’s such a target-rich environment that we just can’t help ourselves sometimes. Most recently, the agency took some nine months to develop a new regulation then published it on Sept. 20 and gave small-aircraft operators only 30 days to understand and implement it. Last week, and as AVweb told you two weeks ago it would, the TSA released a new document, an “interpretation,” which delays portions of the new rule for an additional 60 days — to Dec. 19 — and changes some of its provisions. “The recent changes are a start but just that and only that,” said AOPA President Phil Boyer. “While some of our recommended changes have now been implemented, let there be no question: Significant issues still exist, and additional amendments to the original rule must be made if it is ever going to be appropriately effective and realistically workable,” Boyer added. Among the major changes, individuals seeking training need to prove their U.S. citizenship only when going for a new rating or certificate. Other training activity — including recurrent training — does not require proof of citizenship. The TSA also modified its record-keeping requirements and will now allow a one-time CFI logbook endorsement to establish citizenship. Thus, the TSA becomes only the second federal agency to establish regulations on entries in your logbook.
