§ 1552.23 - Security awareness training programs.

§ 1552.23 Security awareness training programs.

(a) General. A flight school must ensure that—

(1) Each of its flight school employees receives initial and recurrent security awareness training in accordance with this subpart; and

(2) If an instructor is conducting the initial security awareness training program, the instructor has first successfully completed the initial flight school security awareness training program offered by TSA or an alternative initial flight school security awareness training program that meets the criteria of paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) Initial security awareness training program.

(1) A flight school must ensure that—

(i) Each flight school employee employed on January 18, 2005 receives initial security awareness training in accordance with this subpart by January 18, 2005; and

(ii) Each flight school employee hired after January 18, 2005 receives initial security awareness training within 60 days of being hired.

(2) In complying with paragraph (b)(2) of this section, a flight school may use either:

(i) The initial flight school security awareness training program offered by TSA; or

(ii) An alternative initial flight school security awareness training program that meets the criteria of paragraph (c) of this section.

(c) Alternative initial security awareness training program. At a minimum, an alternative initial security awareness training program must—

(1) Require active participation by the flight school employee receiving the training.

(2) Provide situational scenarios requiring the flight school employee receiving the training to assess specific situations and determine appropriate courses of action.

(3) Contain information that enables a flight school employee to identify—

(i) Uniforms and other identification, if any are required at the flight school, for flight school employees or other persons authorized to be on the flight school grounds.

(ii) Behavior by clients and customers that may be considered suspicious, including, but not limited to:

(A) Excessive or unusual interest in restricted airspace or restricted ground structures;

(B) Unusual questions or interest regarding aircraft capabilities;

(C) Aeronautical knowledge inconsistent with the client or customer's existing airman credentialing; and

(D) Sudden termination of the client or customer's instruction.

(iii) Behavior by other on-site persons that may be considered suspicious, including, but not limited to:

(A) Loitering on the flight school grounds for extended periods of time; and

(B) Entering “authorized access only” areas without permission.

(iv) Circumstances regarding aircraft that may be considered suspicious, including, but not limited to:

(A) Unusual modifications to aircraft, such as the strengthening of landing gear, changes to the tail number, or stripping of the aircraft of seating or equipment;

(B) Damage to propeller locks or other parts of an aircraft that is inconsistent with the pilot training or aircraft flight log; and

(C) Dangerous or hazardous cargo loaded into an aircraft.

(v) Appropriate responses for the employee to specific situations, including:

(A) Taking no action, if a situation does not warrant action;

(B) Questioning an individual, if his or her behavior may be considered suspicious;

(C) Informing a supervisor, if a situation or an individual's behavior warrants further investigation;

(D) Calling the TSA General Aviation Hotline; or

(E) Calling local law enforcement, if a situation or an individual's behavior could pose an immediate threat.

(vi) Any other information relevant to security measures or procedures at the flight school, including applicable information in the TSA Information Publication “Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports”.

(d) Recurrent security awareness training program.

(1) A flight school must ensure that each flight school employee receives recurrent security awareness training each year in the same month as the month the flight school employee received initial security awareness training in accordance with this subpart.

(2) At a minimum, a recurrent security awareness training program must contain information regarding—

(i) Any new security measures or procedures implemented by the flight school;

(ii) Any security incidents at the flight school, and any lessons learned as a result of such incidents;

(iii) Any new threats posed by or incidents involving general aviation aircraft contained on the TSA Web site; and

(iv) Any new TSA guidelines or recommendations concerning the security of general aviation aircraft, airports, or flight schools.