Last week, Aero-News was first to expose the TSA's latest usurpation of FAA authority, as it introduced, without public discussion or comment, its latest new rules, which deny FAA-certificated individuals the right to practice their trade or avocation. The Aviation Electronics Association has issued the following assessment:

The Association supports the FAA and TSA’s initiative to remove persons who pose a security risk from access to aircraft and aircraft operating areas.

However, AEA is disturbed with the lack of oversight included in this extremely controversial issue. The certificate of an aviation professional is their authorization to earn a living and to provide for their families and cannot be taken lightly.

To limit the impact of an error or oversight on the part of TSA and the FAA the Association recommends that

• a suspension must be resolved within 60 days and
• before an Initial Notification of Threat Assessment can be upgraded to a Final Notification of Threat Assessment resulting in a revocation of certificate and the resulting loss of employment, the individual accused must have their “day in court”: the final decision must be made in a Federal Court and there must be an appeals process.

FMI: www.aea.net; notice