Flight School Security Awareness Training for Aircraft and Simulators
October 26, 2004
Indicators
It is important for flight school and flight simulator instructors,
employees, administrative staff, and other employees who have
direct contact with students to be on the lookout for “suspicious”
activity.
Suspicious activity may be defined as activity that creates
uneasiness or uncertainty without being criminal or illegal.
The following information will describe indicators of suspicious
activities that you should be aware of.
You should be on the look-out for indicators of suspicious
activity, but be aware that suspicious activity may be the
result of a person who may be:
Feeling ill
Having problems at home or school
Nervous about taking tests
Experiencing other atypical physiological conditions
Having some other personal or physical situation causing
the behavior
Suspicious activity may include, but is not limited to:
Transient aircraft with unusual or unauthorized modifications.
Tape over the aircraft registration numbers. Unusual adjustments
to strengthen the wheel wells.
Other modifications to make the identification of the aircraft
difficult or that indicate the aircraft has been used for
other than normal operations.
Unknown persons loitering for extended periods with
no specific reason to be there.
- By aircraft
- In the Pilot’s Lounge
Pilots who appear to be under the control of another
person.
Persons wishing to rent an aircraft without presenting
valid flight or medical
certificates or identification.
Persons who present seemingly valid flight or medical
certificates but who do not
display a corresponding level of aviation knowledge.
Persons who seem unfamiliar with aviation procedures
trying to rent an aircraft.
Any pilot who makes threats or statements inconsistent
with normal uses of aircraft.
Events or circumstances that do not fit the pattern
of lawful, normal activity at an
airport or a flight school.
Persons trying to access an aircraft through force.
- Without keys
- Using a tool or makeshift pry bar to gain entry into an
aircraft
- Unfamiliar persons on the flight line
People or groups who keep to themselves.
Members of your airport neighborhood who avoid contact
and refrain from
conversation with you or other airport tenants.
Dangerous cargo or loads being loaded onto an aircraft.
Students who are vague with verbal answers or when
filling out their student
application.
Students who are overly concerned as to whether the application
includes a background investigation.
Students who continually want to fly over sensitive
locations or critical
infrastructures.
- Nuclear facilities, power plants, dams, etc.
Students who ask questions that do not seem relevant
to the instruction.
Students who seem interested in only one part of training
or who leave the program prior to training completion. NOTE:
Students leaving the training may not be suspicious in and
of itself; 60-70% of students will drop out of training prior
to completion.
Student attempting to pay with cash only.
Students speaking secretively or evasively passing
notes in an attempt to avoid
drawing attention to themselves.
Students who perspire excessively or who have excessive
nervous energy.
Student who is easily agitated.
Any other activity that appears inconsistent with the intent
to obtain full certification.
Note that any one of these signs may not be suspicious in
and of itself. However, combinations of multiple signs may
indicate a higher degree of suspicious activity than individual
signs.
Also, realize that the indicators listed are not all inclusive.
As the aviation and airline industry adapts and becomes
more aware, those that wish us harm will adapt their approaches.
This completes the topic on Indicators.
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