TSA offers fix for disruptions in alien flight training

The TSA has notified flight schools and flight instructors of an exception to the requirement that they must upload a current photo of flight training candidates before commencing training under the Alien Flight Student Program.

Responding to industry concerns about potential training delays and disruptions, such as on weekends or holidays, the TSA on Feb. 28 issued a letter of policy clarification that allows training to proceed in all four of the program’s categories, effective immediately, as long as the following conditions are met:

• The school or instructor providing training must verify the candidate’s identity using a candidate’s current or unexpired government-issued photo identification, such as a passport photo.
• The provider must ensure that permission to commence training has been received.
• The provider must have “taken, uploaded, and placed in the candidate’s records either a hard copy or electronic copy of a current photograph of the candidate” within five business days from the start of flight training.

AOPA members who wish to learn more about the Alien Flight Student Program can review AOPA’s Online Guide  or call the AOPA Pilot Information Center for assistance.