On December 12, 2003, the US Congress enacted the Vision
100 - Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act which transfers the responsibility for non-US citizen flight training candidate
processing and clearance authority from the Department of Justice to the Secretary of Homeland Security, specifically the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA). As a result the TSA has issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) prohibiting a flight
school from providing flight training in an aircraft or aircraft simulator regardless of weight to aliens and other individuals
designated by the TSA unless the flight school or the candidate submits certain information to TSA. TSA will then determine
that the candidate is not a threat to aviation or national security.
Under the Interim Flight Rule, there are four categories
of candidates:
Category 1 is for candidates who are not eligible
for expedited processing for flight training on aircraft more than 12,500 pounds;
Category 2 is for candidates who are eligible
for expedited processing applying for flight training on aircraft more than 12,500 pounds;
Category 3 is for candidates applying for flight
training on aircraft 12,500 pounds or less;
Category 4 is for candidates applying for recurrent
training on all aircraft
Specific information on the requirements for each category
can be obtained on the TSA website: https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov.
The TSA help desk phone number is (703) 542-1222.
We recognize that these new requirements place a burden
on you, our customer. Please be assured that we appreciate your patience and understanding. We will continue to work closely
with all the Federal agencies involved to ensure that your interests are represented and that common sense is considered in
the application and interpretation of this new law.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.