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 (NATA-CS) works closely with the FAA, 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-CS, 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 refer to this page often for the latest news regarding developments in transportation security regulations.
Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA)
Enacted November 19, 2001, the ATSA 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.
Backgrounds
In keeping with FAA and TSA regulations, five and ten-year background checks are often required by airports, carriers and vendors. NATA-CS 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 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-CS 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
Drug Testing
New regulations governing employee drug testing are being drafted every day. Aviation companies must have their own comprehensive drug programs. NATA-CS provides effective, reliable third-party programs to keep you in compliance. Moving forward, more employees will be required to undergo drug 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 Regulations for Conducting Antidrug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Programs for Safety-Sensitive Employees in the Aviation Industry.
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)
NATA-CS also help you to comply with “the statute (which) requires air carriers, prior to hiring an individual as a pilot, to request and receive: from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), certain records pertaining to the individual concerning pilot certificates, associated rating, medical certificates, and summaries of legal enforcement actions; from other air carriers or other persons for whom the individual may have been employed in the past five-year period, certain records pertaining to training, competency, disciplinary actions, and/or terminations or other causes for separation concerning the prior employer; and from the National Driver Register pertinent records concerning the motor vehicle driving record of the individual being considered for hiring". (AC No: 120-68A) Flight Standards Service Pilot Records Improvement Act.
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.
Secure ID-Biometric SkyGuard
Soon, virtually every company in aviation will be required to have a badging identification system. The SkyGuard Badging System developed by NATA-CS tightens security by matching personal information on an employee with a fingerprint and photo. SkyGuard features smart chip technology for ample storage of supplemental identification and verification information.
Check back often for regulatory updates courtesy of NATA Compliance Services.
