The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has approved a five-year extension of its partnership authorizing National Air Transportation Association Compliance Services (Natacs) to continue as a trusted fingerprint facility to process biological and biometric information for general aviation and commercial aviation worldwide.
Natacs, a partially owned subsidiary of NATA, has been partnered with the TSA since 2002. Under the revised and extended agreement, Natacs can continue to provide all pre-enrollment, enrollment, fingerprint collection and secure data transmission for TSA-conducted background checks on tens of thousands of aircrew members and flight students each year. The agreement expires in December 2016.
Natacs ensures that all TSA security requirements are adhered to so the agency can conduct background checks to determine whether known or potential terrorists are seeking access to general aviation facilities. Natacs manages a workforce of more than 200 certified enrollment specialists worldwide who conduct collections for regulated parties in industry.
The programs Natacs helps industry comply with include:
• Part 135 on-demand air charter operators participating in the Twelve-Five Standard Security Program, Private Charter Standard Security Program and DCA Access Standard Security Program
• flight training facilities participating in the Alien Flight Student Program
• Part 145 repair stations
• FBOs
• Part 91K fractional ownership operators
• GA airports
The agreement also provides Natacs with the authority to collect fingerprints for employees and contractors of commercial airports and air carriers. “Natacs exists to help the TSA carry out its security mission and ensure industry compliance with strict requirements, all while minimizing costs and the impact on commerce,” said Michael Sundheim, CEO of Natacs.