NBAA Troubled by Delays in Background Checks

In a letter sent in late April to U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, NBAA expressed “deep concern” regarding the process by which foreign nationals obtain permission for flight training in the U.S. While the association said it supports the concept of background checks for foreigners seeking flight training in the U.S., “the procedure developed by the Department of Justice encourages pilots to seek training in other countries.” NBAA urged Ashcroft to work with the flight-training industry to address “the critical technical background check requirements and ensure maximum security for the U.S. while allowing U.S. allies worldwide to benefit by receiving flight training from American companies.”