Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP)

December 18, 2008

TSA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Review Comments About the TSA Proposal and Submit Your Own

The TSA has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that seeks to amend the Twelve Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) and Private Charter Standard Security Program (PCSSP) and apply new security requirements to all aircraft weighing more than 12,500 pounds.  In addition, TSA proposes airports serving large aircraft to adopt mandatory security requirements.

Among many of the requirements contained within the proposal, the major provisions for aircraft operators  include criminal history record checks (CHRC) and security threat assessments (STA) for flight crew, checking passenger names against the TSA’s “No-Fly” and “Selectee” lists, development of a security program, and biennial auditing of the security program.  Additionally, the proposal would require approximately 320 airports designated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) as “reliever” airports and airports that regularly serve scheduled or public charter operations in large aircraft to adopt a “partial” airport security program that would include specific training, record retention, personnel and notification requirements.

Acting on a joint request from the NBAA and AOPA the TSA has extended the time period for public comment on the agency’s LASP proposal by an additional 60 days. As a result of the extension, the new deadline for public comment is February 27, 2009. On October 30, NBAA and AOPA jointly requested additional time to comment on the LASP, which increases security requirements for all aircraft weighing more than 12,500 pounds. “Granting our request will provide much needed time for analysis, community education and feedback,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “This is a very important development and we look forward to effectively using the additional time.”

Bolen Tells TSA: Security Proposal Will Be 'Destructive' if Left Unchanged
January 6, 2009
At the first of five LASP public hearings to be held this month, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen today articulated pressing industry concerns to TSA officials, and offered a process for improving the final rule on the proposal. Reiterating business aviation's leadership role in security enhancements, Bolen warned that the current version of the LASP would have "unintended and destructive consequences that threaten the well-being of businesses across the U.S." The security approach outlined in the proposal – which is in many ways an overlay of airline security measures onto general aviation – would be unduly burdensome without providing a clear enhancement of security.

Use NBAA's Contact Congress to Make Your Voice Heard on TSA's LASP Proposal
January 5, 2009
NBAA has provided a new letter for Members to send to their elected representatives in Washington which outlines the concerns the business aviation community has with the TSA's proposed Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP). The proposal, which was introduced last October, would impact all aircraft with a maximum certified takeoff weight (MTOW) above 12,500 lbs. The new letter is accessible through NBAA's Contact Congress resource, and can be personalized and previewed before it is sent. NBAA strongly encourages Members to use the resource to make their voices heard.

NBAA Announces Public Meetings for TSA's LASP; Member Participation Encouraged
December 17, 2008
NBAA today announced that the TSA has scheduled five official public hearings in early 2009 for the business aviation community to provide the agency with feedback on its proposed Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP). “We appreciate this effort by the TSA to hear from the people in our industry whose operations stand to be greatly affected by this proposal,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “NBAA Members have been understandably frustrated by the proposal because it seems to lack a true understanding of how a general aviation airplane fits into a company’s operations and security culture. I strongly encourage anyone able to participate in these meetings to mark their calendars and plan to attend.”

NBAA Resources for Understanding, and Commenting on, the TSA's LASP