From BHFC

Contents 1 Overview 2 TSA CFI Meetings 3 Citizenship Verification 4 Documentation 5 Pitfalls 6 Contact Information

Overview

In response to 9/11, the Transportation Safety Administration has taken an active interest in pilot training. This page is inteded as a streamlined resource for independent flight instructors and students that are U.S. Citizens. It does not concern itself with information pertaining to formal Flight Schools or training for non-U.S. citizens. It should not be considered legal advice. The AOPA has a more thorough resource available - this resource is the basis for much of the information presented here.

The TSA requirements are regulated by 49 CFR 1552.

TSA CFI Meetings

The TSA is currently collecting flight instructor's documentation regarding student pilots' citizenship or other authorization to receive flight training. The current focus is communication - they're looking to help us get the process and the paperwork right, not start some major crackdown.

This is part of a wider effort to meet with, or at least get documentation from all CFI's and/or flight schools. Going forward, we can expect that at least a portion of Blue Horizons Flying Club CFI's will be asked to meet a TSA representative on an annual basis.

The meeting is likely to consist of a few minutes reviewing the documentation for correctness. A good deal more time is likely to be spent going over the program, clearing up common misconceptions, and generally communicating.

Citizenship Verification

Whenever a flight instructor takes on a student working towards any of the following certificates or ratings, the flight instructor must verify and document the citizenship or authorization of the student BEFORE providing any flight instruction:

• Recreational Pilot
• Sport Pilot
• Private Pilot
• Instrument Rating
• Multiengine Rating

U.S. Citizens can prove their citizenship with the following documents:

• Valid, unexpired U.S. passport.
• Original birth certificate of the United States, American Samoa, or Swains Island, AND government-issued picture ID.
• Original certification of birth abroad with raised seal (Form FS-545 or DS-1350) AND government-issued picture ID.
• Original certificate of U.S. citizenship with raised seal (Form N-560 or N-561), or a Certificate of Repatriation (Form N-581), AND government-issued picture ID.
• Original U.S. Naturalization Certificate with raised seal (Form N-550 or N-570) AND a government issued picture ID.

Non-U.S. Citizens should refer to the AOPA resource above.

Documentation

Documents are to be retained for five years and must be presented to the TSA upon request. These records are to include:

• EITHER copies of the proof of citizenship described above
• OR copies of endorsements certifying that you have reviewed the documents
• IN EITHER CASE record the date that citizenship was verified AND the date of initial flight training

The endorsement language is specified in the regulation and is not as flexible as FAA endorsements:

I certify that [insert student's name] has presented me a [insert type of document presented, such as a U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport,
and the relevant control or sequential number on the document, if any] establishing that [he or she] is a U.S. citizen or national in accordance
with 49 CFR 1552.3(h). [Insert date and instructor's signature and CFI number.]

• This endorsement must be made to BOTH the student's logbook AND the instructor's logbook.
• If using a birth certificate, be sure to note the state and county.
• If using a document that requires an accompanying government issued picture ID, include the details from that document as well. If using a driver's license, be sure to include the issuing state and driver's license number. Abbreviations such as "ODL #123456" or "MI DL #123456" are acceptable.

Pitfalls

• If a student switches CFI's, the new instructor must create documentation as described above. Verifying a previous CFI's endorsement is not sufficient.

Contact Information

The Aviation Security Inspector for TDZ is:

Shaun Allen
Tel: (216) 362-4925
email: shaun.allen@dhs.gov

Address:
One International Place
20445 Emerald Parkway Drive
Cleveland, OH 44135