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A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.")

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Aero-Tips 11.26.06

Here's a little addition to FAR Part 61, Pilot, Flight Instructors and Ground Instructors, that you may not have noticed when it appeared in the last few years...

61.18 Security disqualification.

(a) Eligibility standard. No person is eligible to hold a certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part when the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has notified the FAA in writing that the person poses a security threat.

(b) Effect of the issuance by the TSA of an Initial Notification of Threat Assessment.

1. The FAA will hold in abeyance pending the outcome of the TSA's final threat assessment review an application for any certificate, rating, or authorization under this part by any person who has been issued an Initial Notification of Threat Assessment by the TSA.
2. The FAA will suspend any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part after the TSA issues to the holder an Initial Notification of Threat Assessment.

(c) Effect of the issuance by the TSA of a Final Notification of Threat Assessment.

1. The FAA will deny an application for any certificate, rating, or authorization under this part to any person who has been issued a Final Notification of Threat Assessment.
2. The FAA will revoke any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part after the TSA has issued to the holder a Final Notification of Threat Assessment.

We all know the very good reasons why the Federal government wants to withhold pilot certificates and ratings from persons who mean to do harm to others. Be aware, though, that persons have been known to be identified as a "security threat" after a misunderstanding leads to a heated exchange with airline personnel, or has a few too many in business class and raises a scene onboard in flight, or even if his or her name is similar to someone else on the Federal watch list.

The key here is "issued an Initial Notification of Threat Assessment [emphasis mine]. If you've received a letter from the Feds saying you are being investigated as a possible security threat, among many other problems in your life you won't be able to complete a pilot certificate or rating, and any certificate or rating you currently hold will be suspended pending the outcome of any investigation. If the investigation goes bad (for you, assuming it's a mistake) then any new certificate or rating will be denied, and your existing certificates and ratings revoked.

Aero-tip of the day: Stay on TSA's good side. If you're even suspected of being a security threat, you are no longer a pilot or a pilot-in-training until investigation clears you.

FMI: Aero-Tips