International Ferry & Flight Test Group
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The following are among those questions most
frequently asked of IFFTG by customers.
Answers
to specific questions not listed here
may
be obtained by contacting IFFTG - click
on
the "Contact Data" button
for telephone
information, or click on the "E-Mail
IFFTG" button.
| Question 2: |
Is a Transportation Security Administration
"waiver" required to ferry, evaluate
or test a US Registered airplane, even if
operated by a flight crew with US licenses? |
| Answer 2: |
Yes.
For airplanes with a maximum certificated
takeoff weight of more than 95,000 pounds
- which includes the Boeing 737, Douglas
MD-80, and all larger types - there is currently
no basis for an exception to the requirement
for a specific authorization - the so-called
"waiver" - from the TSA. While
some exceptions do exist for smaller business
jet airplane types, the applicable regulations
do not allow large airline transport category
airplanes outside scheduled airline service
to be operated absent a TSA Authorization,
even for local evaluation or test flights.
In addition, the FAA has advised maintenance
and storage facilities in the United States
to ascertain that a TSA Authorization is
in place before releasing large aircraft
for departure. Some FAA Flight Standards
District Offices even require that a facsimile
of the TSA Authorization and flight crew
credentials be submitted to the FSDO before
release for flight. There are many misconceptions,
personal opinions, out-dated information
and "tribal lore" circulating about
the TSA Authorization process, however the
regulations establishing the requirements
are far less than clear and interpreted differently
by different offices of the FAA, TSA, FBI,
Customs Service, and other officials. Even
valid exceptions for business jets are frequently
not recognized by local officials. IFFTG
recommends to all customers that a TSA Authorization
be routinely obtained in advance of every
flight event in a large transport category
airplane, to preclude last minute delays,
security clearance problems, and impoundment
upon arrival.
The procedure to obtain a TSA Authorization
includes providing the full name, birth date,
passport number and social security number
of every airplane occupant to the TSA at
least seven days before a flight event. In
addition, the airplane, airports of departure
and arrival, routing, and date or range of
dates upon which the flight will occur are
specified. Finally, descriptions of the security
programs at place for the airport of departure
and for the operating company are provided,
along with the identities of the IFFTG Security
Director and on-site IFFTG Security Coordinator
for the operation. After vetting the data
on every airplane occupant with the FBI and
other governmental agencies, approving each
as posing no security threat, and approving
the airports to be used and routes to be
flown, the TSA issues a letter, authorizing
the flight and assigning a specific TSA Authorization
Number under which the flight may be conducted.
While TSA Authorizations are sometimes issued
in less than seven days, many times the full
seven days are required. IFFTG requests many
TSA Authorizations each month, and advises
its customers that the best practice is to
request it as early as possible. If an extension
in time is required due to unforeseen maintenance
problems or other scheduling issues, if there
are additions to the manifest of airplane
occupants, or if any material aspect of the
flight is changed, an amended request must
be filed. |
|
