The TSA alien flight-training rule is now in full effect but efforts continue in the background to make it “less intrusive,” according to an AOPA spokesman. The organization’s government specialist Andy Cebula said any non-U.S. citizen beginning training for a new rating or certificate must be registered with the TSA and undergo background checks. It’s up to their flight instructors and/or flight schools to determine the citizenship of their students and make sure non-U.S. citizens go through the security mill. Cebula said AOPA tried to get the TSA to back off on the requirements for resident aliens, many of whom have called the U.S. home for decades. “TSA refuses to budge on this issue,” he said. All resident aliens are investigated and fingerprinted by U.S. Immigration but the TSA doesn’t trust the border folks to weed out the potential terrorists. Of course, if history is any indicator …
Alien Flight Rule In Effect
Key Takeaways:
- The TSA's alien flight-training rule is now fully implemented, requiring all non-U.S. citizens to register with the TSA and undergo background checks for new flight ratings or certificates.
- Flight instructors and schools are responsible for verifying student citizenship and ensuring non-U.S. citizens comply with these security requirements.
- AOPA is attempting to make the rule less intrusive, especially for long-term resident aliens, but the TSA has refused to make exceptions despite prior immigration background checks.
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