12-5 rule delayed at least 60 days

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has effectively delayed by at least 60 days compliance with its security requirements for air-taxi aircraft with an mtow of 12,500 lb or more. The TSA said it would release a standard security program (SSP) shortly after June 24, the effective date of the new rule, with a provision for a 30-day comment period. After the comment period expires, the TSA will issue a final SSP, with which operators will have 30 days to comply. This rule, which will require operators to conduct flight-crew criminal history checks and fingerprinting security checks, as well as passenger screening, applies primarily to transport-category air-taxi operators when passengers or crew are enplaning or deplaning in an airport’s “sterile” area (generally the airline ramp or terminal and its gates).