Story ID: 
Small Air-taxi Aircraft Still Prohibited at DCA
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: Under the Transportation Security Administration’s new regulations permitting the resumption of general aviation operations at Ronald Reagan Washington Nat
Word Count: 132
Under the Transportation Security Administration’s new regulations permitting the resumption of general aviation operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), air-taxi aircraft with mtows of 12,500 pounds or less cannot qualify. However, Part 91 aircraft of this size can qualify. As an example, in comments sent to the TSA, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) cited a King Air 90 with an mtow of 9,650 pounds. If operated under Part 91 by a corporate operator, the turboprop twin may apply for DCA access. “However, the same type aircraft operated by a Part 135 certificate holder is ineligible . . .in spite of the more stringent regulations and FAA oversight to which the 135 certificate holder is already subject,” NATA said. Also, NATA requested a “more streamlined” DCA approval process for charter operators already under the Twelve-Five Standard Security Plan.