Flight School Security Awareness Training for Aircraft and Simulators

October 26, 2004
Scenarios – Flight School with Airplanes

Question
An individual approaches you to sign up for flying lessons. You ask him to fill out the appropriate application and to return it when it is completed. The individual returns the application but has left several areas blank. You inform the individual that he needs to complete all sections of the application but he refuses to do so.

Answer
Your first response should be to inform a supervisor. The completion of application forms is not optional, so any significant push-back or attempt by the student to register without having completed the necessary paperwork must be reported to the supervisor for follow- on action. Additionally, any U.S. citizen wishing to train in an aircraft must provide proof of citizenship and be willing to provide the information requested by the flight school. Non- U.S. citizens who apply for flight training must be approved by TSA before they can receive training.

Question
A student filling out an application is overly concerned as to whether the application includes a background check. He wants to know what the background check would entail, how far back in his history would they investigate, and who they might contact for information. He also wants to know when the background check investigation process would begin.

Answer
Your first response should be to inform a supervisor. The behavior is subjective in the amount of distress displayed by the student. Some individuals are naturally concerned about their privacy. Their concerns usually hinge on how much personal information must be provided, to whom it shall be provided, how will the information be protected, etc. However, since the events of 9/11 all commercial aircrew members are scrutinized and background checked. Any student objecting to or refusing a background check should raise mental warning flags requiring the immediate notification of a supervisor. Should such an incident occur, the supervisor may elect to take additional follow-on actions. U.S. Citizens are not required to undergo a background check; however, any foreign student voicing a concern would appear to not understand the new requirements of the Aviation Transportation Security Act (ATSA) which requires them to provide certain information to DHS for a risk assessment evaluation and approval to receive flight training in the US.

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