New procedures for obtaining fleet waivers to restrictions on international flights by business aircraft have been introduced by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Waivers allow operators to bypass the post-11 September requirement to enter US airspace only via designated "portal" countries, and are needed for each international flight unless the operator qualifies a fleet waiver.
Under the new rules for Part 91 private operators, applicants seeking a fleet waiver must complete a minimum of three single-trip waiver flights without incident to be eligible, and must show a cumulative average of three international flights a month to qualify. The rules also apply to foreign-registered business aircraft seeking to enter US airspace.
Ultimately, the business aviation community hopes the waiver process will be replaced by the TSA's access certificate, which allows operators with approved security programmes unrestricted access to international airspace. The National Business Aviation Association says 25 operators have received access certificates in a pilot programme so far restricted to Teterboro, Morristown and White Plains airports in the north-east USA.
GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
