TSA tells Congress it's making progress on AOPA's pilot identification proposal

In its just-released Report to Congress on Enhanced Security Measures, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said that the FAA anticipates issuing a formal notice to solicit public comments on AOPA's proposal requiring that pilots carry a valid photo ID, in conjunction with their pilot license and medical certificates. The report also explains that the TSA has joined the FAA rulemaking team to consider the AOPA petition. AOPA President Phil Boyer commented, "While I'm pleased that the administration is moving forward on our petition, bureaucratic delays shouldn't delay a common-sense approach that can be implemented almost immediately."

Although the FAA is the agency that oversees the issuance and regulation of pilot licenses, TSA has been charged with overseeing all security issues pertaining to transportation, including working with the FAA on incorporating photographs on pilot licenses. The TSA's report to Congress is a fulfillment of a legislative requirement set forth by the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (P.L. 107-71), which was signed into law by President Bush on November 19, 2001.

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