FAA plans to require pilot's licenses to include a photo

[502]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... 2b9eb142c9

Pilot's licenses still short on security measures
(AP) – 1 day ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — In an attempt to improve security, Congress told the Federal Aviation Administration in 2004 to come up with a pilot's license that included the pilot's photo and could contain biometric information like fingerprints or iris scans. Today, the only pilots pictured on FAA licenses are flight pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright, and the licenses lack biometric data.

In a letter Tuesday, Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., asked the heads of the FAA, the Transportation Security Administration and the Homeland Security Department to explain why they haven't complied with the law he helped write.

"It is absolutely astounding that DHS, TSA and FAA could, after six years to implement the act, still achieve such an incredible level of incompetence," wrote Mica, the top Republican member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 sought to fill some of the security gaps exposed by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including verifying the identities of people seeking access to airplanes and airfields.

Mica said in an interview that FAA officials have told his staff that one reason the licenses don't contain biometric information is that they've been waiting for TSA and DHS to decide on criteria for the information and the equipment necessary to read the information. He said the three agencies have been pointing fingers at each other.

TSA officials declined to comment on the biometric data. "TSA will respond directly to Congressman Mica," said Sterling Payne, a spokesman for the agency.

The law doesn't say the licenses have to contain biometric data, just that they be capable of doing so. That would require they be embedded with microchips capable of storing fingerprints, iris scans or personal data that can be used to verify someone's identification. Lawmakers left it up to the FAA administrator to decide what biometric information should be included.

In response to the lawmaker's letter, FAA spokeswoman Sasha Johnson said the licenses issued now already have the capability to hold biometric information. But Mica said that's not what the agency told his staff.

Biometric data is increasingly being added to driver's licenses, passports and company IDs.

Immediately after the law was passed, FAA required pilots to carry a government-issued photo ID in addition to their pilot's license. But the agency stopped short of requiring a photo as part of its license.

At the time the law was being debated, FAA officials said that unlike state motor vehicles departments, the agency doesn't have conveniently located offices where pilots can present themselves to have their photos taken. However, Congress also gave the FAA permission to designate a local authority, such as a police department or an airport, to take the photos.

FAA plans to propose a regulation later this year that would require pilot's licenses to include a photo, Johnson said.

Andrew Sullivan, an aviation security expert in Dallas, said that while photos and biometric information would be helpful, their absence doesn't create a significant safety gap.

At large airports with scheduled airline service, flight crews are required to show TSA screeners a company photo ID. They also need the identification to board planes or to step out onto the tarmac.

The biometric data is only useful if TSA screeners or other officials have equipment capable of reading it, Sullivan noted.

Airline pilots generally aren't asked to show their FAA licenses except by a company when they are being hired or by FAA inspectors during check rides or other skills tests. Commercial and private pilots are occasionally asked for licenses by FAA officials during airfield inspections or by accident investigators. Private pilots are also likely to be asked to present their licenses when joining a flying club or renting a plane.

Mica said aviation security is based on redundancies so that if one security measure fails, another is still in place.

"This is our most vulnerable transportation system," Mica said. "We've seen it time and time again that terrorists turn to commercial aviation."

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[Helimobil]

The FAA doesn't issue any pilot's licenses. © lt.ak

[Misha]

Ты уконтропупил их всех одним разом!

[lt.ak]

Ты уконтропупил их всех одним разом!

"I would like to remind you - this is English speaking forum" © vova_k

The FAA doesn't issue any pilot's licenses. © lt.ak

yes ... if you only knew how much it bothers me ... ... and, surprise, surprise, Congressman Mica brought this topic up right before the elections, like that is the most important issue on the agenda ...

[502]

https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases ... wsId=12158

Press Release – FAA Proposes Requiring Pilot Certificates to Include Photos
For Immediate Release
November 18, 2010
Contact: Les Dorr, Jr. or Alison Duquette
Phone: 202-267-3461

WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today it is proposing that all pilot certificates include photos of the certificate holder.
This action follows a requirement that all pilot certificates be made of plastic and contain security features, such as a hologram and an ultraviolet-sensitive layer, to prevent tampering, altering and counterfeiting.
“The Department of Transportation is committed to keeping the traveling public safe,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This is an important safeguard to help make sure individuals can’t pose as pilots, whatever their intentions.”
Under the new FAA proposal, pilots would obtain new certificates on which their photograph would appear with a proposed expiration date of eight years. At the end of that time period, pilots would need to update their photo and obtain a new certificate.
“Our current certificates are plastic and tamper-resistant, but this proposal will make them even more secure,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.
If the proposal is finalized as proposed, all new airman certificates would have to include a photograph. Existing pilots with a current commercial pilot certificate would have four years to comply, while a pilot with an airline transport pilot rating would have three years to obtain a new certificate with a photo. Existing private, recreational or sport pilot certificate holders would have five years to comply with the new requirement.
If finalized, the resulting final regulation will fulfill a provision of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, which requires the FAA to issue plastic, tamper-resistant pilot certificates with photos.
Under the proposal, the cost of the new pilot certificate would be $22. That amount is comparable to drivers’ license fees in many states and would have to be renewed every eight years.
The comment period for the proposed rule ends February 17, 2011. The rule is on display at the Federal Register: http://www.ofr.gov/inspection.aspx#reg_F. It will be published in the Register at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/