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.