Concern for security in and around the nation's air transportation system has never been greater. To combat potential threats, legislative and regulatory agencies are moving at a rapid pace to better regulate and upgrade the safety of the traveling public. NATA Compliance Services works closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to track, understand, and help implement regulatory changes that will affect your operation. By outsourcing security compliance to NATA Compliance Services, you minimize risk of security violations and maximize peace of mind.

To help you stay better informed, a current, partial list of regulations from the DOT, FAA and TSA and acts that govern aviation and transportation employees is offered below. Please bookmark this page and refer back often for the latest news regarding developments in transportation security regulations.

Temporary Alternative to TSA Terrorist Threat Assessment Procedures

Due to the delays in processing threat assessments, the TSC, TSA and National Air Transportation Association Compliance Services (NATACS) have identified a modified procedure which will aid in the threat assessment process. This procedural modification applies to all aircraft operators applying for a MD3 Personal Identification Number (PIN). View the Temporary Modification of Procedures (PDF).

Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA)

Enacted November 19, 2001, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act provides additional qualifications for screeners, requires increased training and testing, and mandates from the TSA, which is now responsible for inspecting persons and property carried by aircraft operators and foreign air carriers. As such, the TSA is required to make a number of improvements to aviation security. Regulations and dates are always changing, so please check back often for updates. View the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) - Public Law 107-71 (PDF).

Background Checks

In keeping with FAA and TSA regulations, five and ten-year background checks are often required by airports, carriers and vendors. NATA Compliance Services conducts all necessary background checks, as well as the latest Criminal History Record Check (CHRC), including an FBI fingerprint check.

Criminal History Records Checks

This rule requires each airport and aircraft operator that has adopted a security program under 49 CFR Part 1542 (formerly 14 CFR Part 107) or 49 CFR Part 1544 (formerly 14 CFR Part 108) to conduct fingerprint-based background checks for individuals employed by those companies or those requiring access to Secured Identification Display Areas of airports. The rule ensures that individuals needing access to Secured Identification Display Areas or those that perform safety-sensitive functions (e.g. flight crewmembers or crewmembers operating aircraft that have a maximum take-off weight of 12,500 pounds), do not have disqualifying criminal offenses. NATA Compliance Services provides the required checks for airports and operators singularly, or as part of a high-value, low-cost integrated security program. View 14 CFR Parts 91 et al., 49 CFR Parts 1500 et al., and Civil Aviation Security Rules; Final Rule (PDF).

Drug Testing

New regulations governing employee drug and alcohol testing are being drafted every day. Aviation companies must have their own comprehensive anti-drug and alcohol programs. NATA Compliance Services provides effective, reliable third-party programs to keep you in compliance. Moving forward, more employees will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing more frequently. What's more, all will require a minimum two-year check to prove they have not failed a drug or alcohol test. View the FAA Regulations for Conducting Anti-Drug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Programs.

Permanent Bar Verification

According to Reference 14 CFR Part 121 Appendices I and J, FAA-regulated employees who work in safety-sensitive functions must undergo historical test results verifications pertaining to drug and alcohol records back to September 19, 1994.

Pilot Record Improvement Act of 1996 (PRIA)

The Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996 (PRIA), as amended, was enacted to ensure that air carriers and air operators adequately investigate a pilot's background before allowing that pilot to conduct commercial air carrier flights. Under PRIA, a hiring employer cannot place a pilot into service until he or she obtains and reviews the last 5 years of the pilot's background and other safety-related records as specified in PRIA.

This Advisory Circular (AC) is supplemented by the current edition of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 8000.88, PRIA Guidance for FAA Inspectors, and numerous other documents found on the PRIA Web site at www.faa.gov/pilots/lic_cert/pria. These sources of detailed information related to PRIA provide invaluable assistance to the certificate holder or others concerning the PRIA request process as well as other compliance issues.

The FAA has greatly expanded this AC from the previous version to address operational situations that the hiring employer may encounter that could affect his or her records request process through PRIA. The Flight Standards Service (AFS) is committed to a stakeholder-driven system of operation that will deliver FAA records and assistance to all parties subject to PRIA, when necessary.

Report to Congress: Improving General Aviation Security
(Pursuant to Section 132(b) of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act)

These regulations apply to general aviation (all aviation other than scheduled commercial flights and military aviation). The report provides a summary of potential vulnerabilities, an identification of the range and basic types of measures that may be taken to increase security, as well as outlines a toolbox of potential countermeasures. View the report here (PDF).

Check back often for regulatory updates courtesy of NATA Compliance Services.