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Air transportation - aviation security

Aerodrome Safeguarding

This site provides the full text of a UK Department for Transport (DFT) consultation document entitled 'Safeguarding of aerodromes, technical sites and military explosives storage areas'. The document describes the background to the safeguarding of aerodromes and technical sites and gives the proposals of the Secretary of State and the Minister. The document was published on 11th March 2001. The text can be viewed online in HTML format.

Air Safety Home Page

Airsafe.com is a personal web site, created by an airline safety analyst. It includes an analysis of serious air transport accidents, by airline and by aircraft type, since 1970. There are very brief summaries of the latest major accidents, and where available reference to further information sources on selected incidents. The site also provides access to the author's own Airsafe Journal, which is intended to highlight safey issues for, and on behalf of airline passengers.

Air Traffic Management Equipment

This provides access to an updated Direction from the Department for Transport dated September 2005. In connection with the transfer by the Civil Aviation Authority, as the regulator, of primary responsibility for the official safeguarding of civil aerodromes and technical sites from itself to the operators of the aerodromes and the technical sites, it has been decided to cancel the Town and Country Planning (Aerodromes and Technical Sites) Direction 1992, which was issued with Department of the Environment Circular 2/92 (Welsh Office Circular 5/92) and to issue in its place an updated Direction. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available from the Department for Transport's web site.

Air Transport, from Privilege to Commodity A COTS Enabled Paradigm Shift

This technical report (NLR-TP-2003-300) was published by NLR (the National Aerospace Laboratory of the Netherlands) in 2003 and was written by E. Kesseler. One hundred years ago air transport started as a technical challenge. Once the enchantment was over, the practical advantages were swiftly recognised, providing privileges for the affluent. Due to the inherent dangers and the early mishaps, a self-improving safety system evolved. The safety of current air transport testifies to the success of this approach. The current business trend is the integration of independent companies into an Internet based virtual enterprise, delivering seamless customer support. As air transport has become a commodity, these service-based architecture techniques will be applied. The impact of the myriad, not harmonised safety rules on such integrated software will be discussed. Recently security concerns have risen. It is described how the common criteria could provide a framework for systematic application of security to software. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available as a PDF file.

Aircraft Hardening Research Programme Final Overview Report

The is the PDF version of UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Paper 2001/9, compiled by the Structures and Materials Department, Design and Production Standards Division of the CAA's Safety Regulation Group, published December 2001. The paper presents the results of research undertaken by the CAA and the Department of Transport, into means of mitigating the effects of explosions on civil transport aircraft. The research was carried out under a CAA contract by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, now QinetiQ. The mitigation measures studied include extrinsic means such as the use of hardened baggage containers and protective liners for the fuselage skin or spacing materials for the cargo hold. Means to restrict baggage momentum or to distribute baggage are also discussed. Measures to improve the aircraft structure itself including local reinforcement of skin and frames, improved attachment of fuselage stringers and selective placement of systems equipment are also reviewed.

Airline Passenger Security Screening : New Technologies and Implementation Issues

Produced by the Panel on Passenger Screening which is part of the US National Research Council, this is the full text of this report in HTML format. The study addresses potential issues if new passenger screening technology is introduced in US airports. The report is split into its constituent chapters for easy reading and is also searchable.

Airline Safety Records and Comparisons

This site is devoted to recording the safety records of US airlines. It allows users to compare each airline's history of accidents, incidents and near mid-air collisions. This can be done by viewing the five year and one year average tables. The statistics are calculated from data provided by the FAA, NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and the US Department of Transportation, and the site explains how the calculations are carried out.

Airport Passenger Screening : Background and Issues for Congress

This provides access to a United States Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report No.R40543 written by Bart Elias and dated April 2009. Over the next several years, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will likely face continuing challenges to address projected growth in passenger airline travel while maintaining and improving upon the efficiency and effectiveness of passenger screening operations. New initiatives to expand the role of TSA personnel beyond screening operations, as well as initiatives to improve screening efficiency and effectiveness through the deployment of new technologies, will likely require additional investment. In addition to annual appropriations of $250 million in FY2008 and FY2009, a portion of the $1 billion identified for aviation security in the stimulus measure (P.L. 111-5) has been designated for acquiring and deploying technologies to screen passengers for explosives. However, policymakers and aviation security planners have not yet agreed upon a well-defined strategy and plan for evolving airline passenger and baggage screening functions to incorporate new technologies, capabilities, and procedures to more effectively and efficiently detect potential threats to aviation security. Ongoing challenges to maintaining and improving upon screening functions include: addressing the potential impacts of projected airline passenger traffic growth on screening operations; optimizing screening efficiency and minimizing passenger wait times; addressing potential airport space constraints for screening checkpoints and equipment; improving the capability to detect explosives at passenger checkpoints; optimizing inline explosives detection systems for checked baggage; developing strategic plans for addressing screening technology and human factors needs; and defining the funding requirements to implement these strategic plans. A number of initiatives related to passenger and baggage screening are currently being evaluated by the TSA. These include tests of new passenger checkpoint layouts and field testing of next generation checkpoint technologies for detecting explosives, including explosives chemical trace detection devices, whole body imaging systems, and advanced technology (AT) X-ray capabilities. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Airport Passenger Screening: Preliminary Observations on Progress Made and Challenges Remaining

This technical report (GAO-03-1173) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in September 2003. Passenger screening is critical to the security of our nation's aviation system, particularly in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is tasked with securing all modes of transportation, including the screening of airline passengers. TSA has met numerous requirements in this regard, such as deploying more than 50,000 federal screeners at over 440 commercial airports nationwide. To determine whether TSA's passenger screening program is achieving its intended results, GAO is conducting an ongoing evaluation of TSA's efforts to (1) ensure that passenger screeners are effectively trained and supervised, (2) measure screener performance in detecting threat objects, and (3) implement and evaluate the contract screening pilot program. This is a PDF file so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

AirSafe Journal

This full text electronic journal is produced by an airline safety analyst named Todd Curtis. It is aimed primarily at airline passengers in order to highlight relevant safety issues. The views expressed are very much those of the author. The site offers an index to all the issues available which are in HTML format. Publication appears to have ceased in 2003. The site also provides advice pages, links to accidents and incidents of selected US airliners taken from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) incident database and the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) accident and serious incident database and fatal events by airline since 1970.

Airside Safety Management

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) document, Civil Aviation Paper CAP 642, Issue 2, February 2003. The document has been produced in response to a need for guidance about safe operating practices for those engaged in activities taking place on the airside areas of airports and aerodromes. The advice and guidance in CAP 642 is best described as "accepted good practice". It illustrates how risks can be identified and provides advice on how airside safety can be placed within the context of a Safety Management System. The text is available in PDF format (1.3mb), from the CAA's web site.

An Evaluation of the Transportation Security Administration's Screener Training and Methods of Testing

This report was prepared by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, Office of Inspections, Evaluations, and Special Reviews OIG-04-045, September 2004. This report discusses two training courses developed by the Transportation Security Administration to address the needs of passenger and checked baggage screeners. The text of the report is available in PDF format.

anna.aero Airline News and Analysis

anna.aero is an aviation news website which provides the latest airport, airline route news and analysis, produced by a team of airline network route planners led by Ralph Anker, a former network planner with Go and easyJet, as well as a former lecturer and researcher of Cranfield University. The website includes the following sections: Top Story: Analysis of recent news from the aviation industry; Route News: A weekly report of new airline routes that have been launched during the last week; Take-offs & Landings: A review and analysis of new airline route development. Also includes coverage of any high-profile route withdrawals; Airline Analysis: Analysis of airline's traffic developments and route networks; Airport Analysis: Analysis of airports, including recent developments of passenger traffic, variation in demand, key airlines, country markets and routes; Country feature: Analysis of airline routes, airport news, and national trends of a country or region; Farewatch: Analysis and commentary on the published airline fare data of a particular airline route; Market Trends: Looks at both airport and airline market trends, provides a regular update on airline industry trends across various national and international markets.

Applicability of Portable Explosive Detection Devices in Transit Environments

This is a United States Transportation Research Board (TRB), Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 86, Public Transportation Security Series Volume 6, prepared by Steven G. Haupt, Shahed Rowshan, and William C. Sauntry, published 2004. This report assessed the usefulness of portable explosive detectors in a transit environment. Commercially available portable explosive detection units were tested in the laboratory as well as in field tests in actual transit agency environments such as subway stations and platforms, bus stations, tunnels, and repair facilities. Training, implementation issues, and specific information on explosives detection are discussed. The text is available in PDF format.

ARINC Home Page

ARINC Inc. develops and operates communications and information processing systems and services for the aviation and travel industries. The company operates global networks that use both airline-proprietary and standard open protocols. ARINC supports the aviation industry with voice and data radio communications through the shared use of the assigned frequency spectrum and radio facilities, as well as satellites. ARINC also provides guidance for establishing avionics and other technical standards for the global air transportation industry and represents the aviation industry in international forums. The ARINC web site provides access to a range of resources including: corporate information, history, overview and annual report. The web site features ARINC's products, services and industry activities, in activity areas such as air/ground communications, airports systems, and information systems and services.

Assessment of Technologies Deployed to Improve Aviation Security : First Report

This web site provides access to a report prepared by the National Research Council's Panel on Assessment of Technologies Deployed to Improve Aviation Security, National Academy Press, 1999. The report assesses the operational performance of explosives-detection equipment and hardened unit-loading devices (HULDs) in airports and compares their operational performance to their laboratory performance, with a focus on improving aviation security. The full text of the report is available online in Open Book format.

Assessment of Technologies Deployed to Improve Aviation Security : Second Report : Progress Toward Objectives

This web site provides access to a report prepared by the National Research Council's Panel on Assessment of Technologies Deployed to Improve Aviation Security, National Academy Press, 2002. The committee issued its first report in 1999. This second report reviews the progress the FAA has made toward implementing the recommendations of that first report. This second report also describes anticipated future committee work on assessment of technologies to improve aviation security. The full text of the report is available online in Open Book format and PDF, and there is also an HTML summary.

Audit of Passenger and Baggage Screening Procedures at Domestic Airports

This report was prepared by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, OIG-04-37, September 2004. In response to concerns about the vulnerability of airline passenger and baggage screening to terrorist activity, the OIG reviewed aviation screening at select domestic airports nationwide. The study found that improvements are needed in the screening process to ensure that dangerous prohibited items are not being carried into the sterile areas of heavily used airports or do not enter the checked baggage system. There were four areas that caused most of the test failures and were in need of improvement: training; equipment and technology; policy and procedures; and management and supervision. This report is an abbreviated, public version of a classified report made available to relevant congressional committees. The text of the report is available in PDF format.

Australian Security International Systems Training (ASIST)

ASIST specialises in aviation security regulatory training and auditing for the aviation and international airfreight industry. The Web site provides information about the company and details of the training and consulting programs that it offers. Of particular note is the Incident Database, which contains information on airline security incidents since 1931. The database can be searched via a number of fields including incident type, date, airlines involved, country and incident location.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) : Aviation Safety

The ATSB is Australia's prime agency for the independent investigation of civil aviation accidents, incidents and safety deficiencies. In addition to investigating accidents and incidents, the ATSB investigates safety deficiencies based on occurrence trends that could lead to a future accident. The ATSB also participates as an accredited representative on investigations of accidents and serious incidents involving Australian-registered aircraft overseas. The ATSB's Aviation Safety web site provides access to a range of information resources including sections on statistics, investigation procedures, aviation safety investigation reports, accident and incident notification and reporting, legislation and regulations, weekly summaries of accidents and incidents; a large collection of ATSB publications, and information on the Aviation Safety Research Grants Programme.

Aviation (Offences) Bill : Regulatory Impact Assessment

The purpose of the Bill is to introduce police powers of arrest to deal with drunk or disruptive passengers on aircraft and to increase the penalty for endangering the safety of an aircraft. The Bill would allow the possibility of introducing a maximum penalty of five years, through an Air Navigation Order (ANO), for an offence relating to endangering an aircraft or a person in an aircraft (currently section 63 of the ANO), and make the offences of drunkenness in an aircraft and acting in a disruptive manner arrestable, but without increasing the penalty. [Taken from document]. This regulatory impact assessment (2003) is available in full text in either PDF (97 KB) or HTML format and is published by the UK Department for Transport.

Aviation Crime Prevention Institute (ACPI)

ACPI is a non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of aviation related crime through education of the aviation industry worldwide, cooperation between the aviation industry and law enforcement agencies; and communication of information and security procedures to all. The site contains a list of members, a description of ACPI services, and details of a number of databases and a newsletter, which are available for purchase. The site also provides access stolen aircraft alerts and to a list of commercial security devices and advice on how to dentify counterfeit avionics equipment.

Aviation Law Discussions

This blog provides a means of keeping up to date with the current news and the latest developments in the areas of aviation law, safety and security. It was created in 2003 by Reigel and Associates, Aero Legal Services based in Hopkins, Minnesota and is regularly updated.

Aviation Reference Desk

This site is maintained by a team of aerospace professionals and consists of a large number of links to aerospace-related sites on the Internet. Links are organised into several categories namely commercial transport, business aviation, general aviation, defence and space, industry news, key organisations, aerospace suppliers, engineering and jobs, forthcoming events and enthusiasts' sites. Each category can be browsed. The site primarily links to US sites.

Aviation Safety : Fourteenth Report

This full text report from the UK Select Committe on Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs examines the impact of the deregulation of the UK air transport industry on aviation safety. The report finds that the industry has an excellent safety record, but does highlight some areas of concern. The current regulatory regime is discussed, as are training and recent aviation accidents. The report was ordered to be printed on 14th July 1999 and is available in HTML format.

Aviation Safety : The Government's Response to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee's Report

This site contains the full text of The Government's Response to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee's Report: Aviation Safety. This was published by the Department for Transport in November 1999, Command Paper Cm 4539. This is an HTML document, published 8 December 1999. A PDF (146 Kb) version of the text is also available for downloading.

Aviation Safety and Pilot Control: Understanding and Preventing Unfavorable Pilot-Vehicle Interaction

Aviation Safety and Pilot Control: Understanding and Preventing Unfavorable Pilot-Vehicle Interactions, report prepared by the Committee on the Effects of Aircraft-Pilot Coupling on Flight Safety, National Research Council, 1997. 220 pages. The report evaluates the current state of knowledge about adverse APC and processes that may be used to eliminate it from military and commercial aircraft. The web site provides access to the full text of the report. It is available online in two formats: Open Book and HTML.

Aviation Safety and Security Association

The Aviation Safety and Security Association (ASSA) is a subsidiary of the Diversified Training Company (DTC), and is formed in a partnership with pilots and flight attendants. The ASSA offers multiple aviation safety and security courses including subject areas like: flight crew security training, behavioural assessment of threat, use of force, phases of awareness, terrorism, crew management skills, human interface with automation and many more. The association also provides assistance in evaluation of flight operations security and providing flight crew training. The training is provided by experienced staff who are either active or retired commercial airline pilots. Links are also available to publications and websites dealing with human factors.

Aviation Safety Data Exchange

The Aviation Safety Data Exchange web site is sponsored by The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) with data assistance from the FAA to provide a source of important Safety Information for General Aviation, Amateur Built and Ultralight Aircraft. Many of the service difficulty reports, which are available upon request, are those which have been submitted by individual aircraft owners/builders and are not available at other locations. The site includes daily accident reports; relevant FAA Advisory Circulars; Airworthiness Directives; Service Difficulty Reports; safety tips and notes, and a listing of amateur-built aircraft kits. There is also a link to NTSB and non-USA accident reports.

Aviation Safety Network : Aviation Safety Database

The ASN Safety Database, updated every week, contains descriptions of over 10,000 airliner, military transport category aircraft and corporate jet aircraft safety occurrences since 1943. The database can be accessed in different ways - type indexes (jets, turboprop aircraft and piston aircraft), geographical region/country index, (contributory) cause index and airlines index (alphabetical listing by country), and by year of accident. It is provided by the Aviation Safety Network.

Aviation Safety Network

Aviation Safety Network (ASN) is a privately maintained personal interest web site aimed at anyone with a professional interest in airline accidents and safety. The site provides access to a range of information resources. The Airliner Accident Database contains descriptions of over 5900 airliner write-offs in accidents since 1945. A list of aircraft types that have been included can be found in the Type Index. This provides brief aicraft specifications, plus a chronological list containing all aircraft accidents for that model in which the aircraft has been damaged beyond repair. ASN also provides links to a wealth of safety related information sources including: aircraft accident reports; Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) / Air Traffic Control (ATC) transcripts; features on a number of significant accidents and safety issues; accident statistics, publications; and an image gallery. The site also includes an Aircraft Accident Digest notification e-mail list and a moderated electronic discussion forum.

Aviation Safety Reporting System

This is a cooperative program established by the FAA, and administered by NASA. The ASRS collects, analyzes, and responds to voluntarily submitted aviation safety incident reports in order to lessen the likelihood of aviation accidents. ASRS data are used to: Identify deficiencies and discrepancies in the National Aviation System (NAS) so that these can be remedied by appropriate authorities; Support policy formulation and planning for, and improvements to, the NAS; Strengthen the foundation of aviation human factors safety research. The web site provides access to a range of information resources. There are twenty-seven ASRS Database Report Sets on topics of interest to the aviation community. Each Report Set consists of 50 ASRS Database records, preceeded by a note of introduction, caveats on use of ASRS data, and standard abbreviations and definitions used in ASRS Database records. ASRS produces two regular safety publications, CALLBACK and ASRS Directline. The site provides HTML and Adobe Acrobat versions of CALLBACK from December 1994 to present, and HTML and Adobe Acrobat versions of all ASRS Directline issues. The site also contains an ASRS programme overview and a more detailed briefing.

Aviation Safety Review 1990 - 1999

The site provides access to a Civil Aviation Authority Paper, CAP 701, prepared by the CAA Safety Regulation Group, October 2000. The paper presents a review of UK aviation safety over the last 10 years. The document is divided into a number of sections covering aeroplanes and helicopters, public transport and non-public transport operations, police, ambulance and rescue services, foreign aircraft in UK airspace, and gliders, microlights, gyroplanes, balloons and airships. The first section provides an international context, and examines accident and fatality trends worldwide. The text of the document is available in PDF format.

Aviation Safety Vortex

Aviation Safety Vortex, a helicopter safety bulletin, was published every two-four months by Safety and Security, Transport Canada. Safety information tailored to the helicopter community can now be found in the Aviation Safety Letter from 2005. This site contains back issues of Vortex which contains news, features and accident synopses. The full text of issues dating back to 1997 are available online in HTML format and from 2000 - 2004 in PDF format. Also, there is a CD-ROM available containing all English and French issues of Aviation Safety Vortex from 1976 to 1999. These back issues are in PDF format. There is a link to Runway Incursion Prevention Tools which includes Runway incursion Awareness Posters and Aviation Safety Letter Articles, amongst others. There is also a link to Safety Management Systems which includes articles like Safety Management System Assessment Guide and many more.

Aviation Security : Enhancements Made in Passenger and Checked Baggage Screening, but Challenges Remain

This technical report (GAO-06-371T) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in April 2006. Securing commercial aviation is a daunting task--with hundreds of airports, thousands of aircraft, and thousands of flights daily carrying millions of passengers and pieces of checked baggage. It has been over 3 years since the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) assumed responsibility for passenger and baggage screening at commercial airports. This testimony focuses on the progress TSA is making in strengthening airline passenger and checked baggage screening and the challenges that remain. Particularly, this testimony highlights TSA's efforts to (1) enhance the performance, management, and deployment of the transportation security officer (TSO) workforce; (2) strengthen procedures for screening passengers and checked baggage; and (3) leverage and deploy screening technologies. TSA has taken steps to enhance the TSO workforce's performance, management, and deployment, yet continues to face challenges in allocating staff and ensuring that training is available. For example, TSA developed a Screening Allocation Model to determine TSO staffing levels at commercial airports. However, some assumptions in the model--such as that 20 percent of the TSO workforce will be part-time--may be flawed, given that federal security directors (the lead TSA authorities at U.S. airports) have had difficulty filling this quota and some said they have not been able to hire up to their authorized staffing levels. In addition, while TSA has taken steps to improve the training offered to its TSO workforce, insufficient staffing and a lack of electronic connectivity to access on-line learning have prevented TSOs from taking full advantage of training opportunities. TSA is proposing changes to its screening procedures to enhance detection capabilities in part based on risk assessments, as GAO has previously advocated. Since April 2005, TSA has gathered, vetted, and tested a variety of new procedures for passenger and baggage screening. Some passenger screening procedure changes are based on risk-related factors, including results of covert (undercover, unannounced) tests that are designed to reveal system vulnerabilities. Our ongoing work on how TSA makes these changes indicates that TSA could do more evaluation to ensure the changes achieve the desired results. TSA has taken steps to develop and deploy technologies to strengthen commercial aviation security; however, challenges in funding and planning have created impediments to implementation. For example, TSA has deployed explosives detection systems--either stand-alone or incorporated in-line with baggage conveyor systems--to detect explosives in checked baggage. A TSA cost-benefit analysis of the in-line systems being installed at 9 airports showed that they could yield significant savings for the federal government. However, their deployment has been hampered by a lack of planning and funding strategies. TSA is currently assessing financing options to support the deployment of in-line systems and has begun prioritizing which airports would benefit from their deployment. [Taken from abstract]. This is in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security : Factors Could Limit the Effectiveness of the Transportation Security Administration's Efforts to Secure Aerial Advertising Operations

This is United States General Accounting Office (GAO) report, GAO-04-499R, dated 5 March 2004. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued flight restrictions to prevent flights over certain areas, to include stadiums, in response to increased concerns about the threat posed by terrorists using aircraft as a weapon. Beginning in December 2001, FAA's Air Traffic Division Director of Air Traffic Services, and later the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), implemented processes to allow certain pilots and aircraft to operate over these events by waiving flight restrictions. However, in February 2003, Congress passed legislation that for 1 year prevented aerial advertising pilots from flying near stadium airspace during certain sporting events by suspending the waiver process. In January 2004, Congress passed legislation continuing this restriction indefinitely. In the event that the restriction on waivers for aerial advertising near stadiums is repealed, the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, asked that we (1) describe the results of FAA and TSA threat assessments conducted relevant to aerial advertising operations and (2) identify FAA's and TSA's processes for mitigating the identified threat, determine whether established processes were followed, and identify factors that may limit their effectiveness. The report is available in PDF format.

Aviation Security : Improvement Still Needed in Federal Aviation Security Efforts

This is United States General Accounting Office (GAO) report, GAO-04-592T, dated 30 March 2004. Following the events of September 11, 2001, Congress enacted numerous aviation security improvements designed to strengthen aviation security, including the development of a passenger prescreening system and the federalization of airport screeners. Despite these changes, challenges continue to face the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) efforts to improve aviation security. GAO was asked to summarize the results of previous and ongoing aviation security work. These include: the development of CAPPS II to assist in identifying high-risk passengers, the management of passenger and baggage screening programs, the operations of the Federal Air Marshal Service, and other aviations security related efforts, such as cargo, that remain a concern. The report is available in PDF format.

Aviation Security : Status of Transportation Security Inspector Workforce

This gives access to a United States Government Accountability Office: Aviation Security Briefing for Congressional Committees dated February 2009. In response to House Report 110-181, which accompanies H.R. 2638, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Bill, 2008, we are reporting on the operation of the TSI (Transportation Security Inspector) program since 2003—when the program was moved with TSA from the Department of Transportation to DHS—including the size of the TSI workforce, the roles and responsibilities of TSIs, and the extent to which TSA has a reasonable basis for determining the size of the workforce needed to achieve inspection goals. [Taken from abstract]. Full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Aviation Security : Transportation Security Administration has Strengthened Planning to Guide Investments in Key Aviation Security Programs but More Work Remains

This provides access to a U.S. Government Accountability Office testimony (GAO-08-456T). This is a statement issued by Cathleen A. Berrick, Director Homeland Security and Justice Issues and Gregory C. Wilshusen, Director of Information Security Issues dated February 2008. DHS and TSA have undertaken numerous initiatives to strengthen the security of the nation’s commercial aviation system and more effectively guide program investments, including steps to address many of our prior recommendations. Meeting the statutory mandates to screen airline passengers and 100 percent of checked baggage alone was a tremendous challenge. TSA has since turned its attention to, among other things, to more efficiently allocating, deploying, and managing the TSO—formerly known as screeners—workforce; strengthening screening procedures; developing and deploying more effective and efficient screening technologies; strengthening air cargo security; and developing a government operated watch-list matching program, known as Secure Flight. More specifically, DHS and TSA have, among other things, developed and implemented a Staffing Allocation Model to determine TSO staffing levels at airports that reflect current operating conditions, and provided TSOs with additional training intended to enhance the detection of threat objects, particularly improvised explosive devices. TSA also proposed and implemented modifications to passenger checkpoint screening procedures based on risk (threat and vulnerability) information, while considering efficiency and customer service needs. TSA also explored new passenger checkpoint screening technologies to enhance the detection of explosives and other threats. Further, TSA took steps to strengthen air cargo security, such as conducting vulnerability assessments at several domestic airports, revising air cargo screening exemptions, and conducting inspections of air carriers to ensure that they are complying with existing security requirements. Finally, TSA has instilled more discipline and rigor into Secure Flight’s development and implementation since we last reported on the program in February 2007, including preparing key systems development documentation and strengthening privacy protections. While these efforts should be commended, we have reported on several areas in which TSA could do more to strengthen aviation security. For example, in our previous work, we reported that some assumptions in TSA’s Staffing Allocation Model did not accurately reflect airport operating conditions. We recommended that TSA establish a formal, documented plan for reviewing all of the model assumptions on a periodic basis. TSA agreed with our recommendation and, in December 2007, developed a Staffing Allocation Model Rates and Assumption Validation Plan that the agency will use to review and validate model assumptions. In addition, we reported that TSA could improve its process for evaluating the effectiveness of proposed changes to passenger screening procedures. For example, while in some cases TSA tested proposed modifications to passenger checkpoint screening procedures before they were implemented to help determine whether the changes would achieve their intended purposes, we found that TSA’s data collection and analyses could be strengthened. DHS generally agreed with our findings and recommendations and TSA has taken steps to implement them. We also testified that limited progress has been made in developing and deploying checkpoint technologies due to planning and management challenges. For example, we reported that TSA made limited progress in fielding explosives detection technology at passenger screening checkpoints in part due to challenges DHS S&T and TSA previously faced in coordinating research and development efforts. We further reported that TSA halted the deployment of one technology due to high installation and maintenance costs. With respect to air cargo, we reported that while TSA conducted a variety of compliance inspections to determine whether air carriers or indirect air carriers—entities that consolidate air cargo for delivery and transport—were complying with TSA security requirements, and had begun to analyze the results of these inspections, it has not developed an inspection plan that included performance goals and measures to determine the extent to which air carriers transporting cargo into the United States were complying with security requirements. While TSA has made considerable progress in the development and implementation of Secure Flight, it has not fully addressed program management issues including (1) developing cost and schedule estimates consistent with best practices, (2) fully implementing its risk management plan, (3) developing a comprehensive testing strategy, and (4) ensuring that information security requirements are fully implemented. If these challenges are not addressed effectively, the risk of the program not being completed on schedule and within estimated costs is increased, and the chances of it performing as intended are diminished. Also, DHS and TSA lack performance measures to fully evaluate the effectiveness of current processes for passengers who apply for redress due to inconveniences experienced during the check-in and screening processes. Having such measures will allow the program to fully measure all of its priorities and make future adjustments to the program. To strengthen TSA’s development and implementation of the Secure Flight program, we are making recommendations to DHS to incorporate best practices in the Secure Flight program and to fully implement the program’s risk management plan and information security requirements and develop a comprehensive testing strategy. We are also making a recommendation to DHS and TSA to develop additional performance measures for their current redress process. We provided a draft of information included in this statement related to our recently completed work on Secure Flight to DHS and TSA for review and comment. In commenting on this information, DHS and TSA generally agreed with our recommendations. [Taken from summary]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Aviation Security : TSA Has Completed Key Activities Associated with Implementing Secure Flight, but Additional Actions Are Needed to Mitigate Risks

This provides access to a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report No.GAO-09-292 dated May 2009. To enhance aviation security, the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) developed a program--known as Secure Flight--to assume from air carriers the function of matching passenger information against terrorist watch-list records. In accordance with a mandate in the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2008, GAO's objective was to assess the extent to which TSA met the requirements of 10 statutory conditions related to the development of the Secure Flight program. GAO is required to review the program until all 10 conditions are met. In September 2008, DHS certified that it had satisfied all 10 conditions. To address this objective, GAO (1) identified key activities related to each of the 10 conditions; (2) identified federal guidance and best practices that are relevant to successfully meeting each condition; (3) analyzed whether TSA had demonstrated, through program documentation and oral explanation, that the guidance was followed and best practices were met; and (4) assessed the risks associated with not fully following applicable guidance and meeting best practices. As of April 2009, TSA had generally achieved 9 of the 10 statutory conditions related to the development of the Secure Flight program and had conditionally achieved 1 condition (TSA had defined plans, but had not completed all activities for this condition). Also, TSA's actions completed and those planned have reduced the risks associated with implementing the program. Although DHS asserted that TSA had satisfied all 10 conditions in September 2008, GAO completed its initial assessment in January 2009 and found that TSA had not demonstrated Secure Flight's operational readiness and that the agency had generally not achieved 5 of the 10 statutory conditions. Consistent with the statutory mandate, GAO continued to review the program and, in March 2009, provided a draft of this report to DHS for comment. In the draft report, GAO noted that TSA had made significant progress and had generally achieved 6 statutory conditions, conditionally achieved 3 conditions, and had generally not achieved 1 condition. After receiving the draft report, TSA took additional actions and provided GAO with documentation to demonstrate progress related to 4 conditions. Thus, GAO revised its assessment in this report. Related to the condition that addresses the efficacy and accuracy of search tools, TSA had not yet developed plans to periodically assess the performance of the Secure Flight system's name-matching capabilities, which would help ensure that the system is working as intended. GAO will continue to review the Secure Flight program until all 10 conditions are generally achieved. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Aviation Security : TSA Has Strengthened Efforts to Plan for the Optimal Deployment of Checked Baggage Screening Systems, but Funding Uncertainties Remain

This provides access to a US Government Accountability Office Report (GAO-06-875T) dated June 2006. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has deployed two types of baggage screening equipment: explosive detection systems (EDS), which use X-rays to scan bags for explosives, and explosive trace detection systems (ETD), in which bags are swabbed to test for chemical traces of explosives. TSA considers screening with EDS to be superior to screening with ETD because EDS machines process more bags per hour and automatically detect explosives without direct human involvement. In March 2005, GAO reported that while TSA had made progress in deploying EDS and ETD machines, it had not conducted a systematic, prospective analysis of the optimal deployment of these machines to achieve long-term savings and enhanced efficiencies and security. GAO's testimony today updates our previous report and discusses TSA's (1) deployment of EDS and ETD systems and the identified benefits of in-line systems, and (2) planning for the optimal deployment of checked baggage screening systems and efforts to identify funding and financing options. Since its inception in November 2001 through June 2006, TSA has procured and installed about 1,600 EDS machines and 7,200 ETD machines to screen checked baggage for explosives at over 400 airports. However, initial deployment of EDS machines in a stand-alone mode--usually in airport lobbies--and ETD machines resulted in operational inefficiencies and security risks as compared with using EDS machines integrated in-line with airport baggage conveyor systems. For example, TSA's use of stand-alone EDS and ETD machines required a greater number of screeners and resulted in screening fewer bags for explosives each hour. In March 2005, we reported that at nine airports where TSA has agreed to help fund the installation of in-line EDS systems, TSA estimated that screening with in-line EDS machines could save the federal government about $1.3 billion over 7 years. In February 2006, TSA reported that many of the initial in-line EDS systems did not achieve the anticipated savings. However, recent improvements in the design of the in-line EDS systems and EDS screening technology now offer the opportunity for higher-performance and lower-cost screening systems. Finally, screening with in-line EDS systems may result in security benefits by reducing the need for TSA to use alternative screening procedures, such as screening with explosives detection canines and physical bag searches, which involve trade-offs in security effectiveness. TSA has begun to systematically plan for the optimal deployment of checked baggage screening systems, but resources have not been made available to fund the installation of in-line EDS systems on a large-scale basis. In February 2006, TSA released its strategic planning framework for checked baggage screening aimed at increasing security through deploying more EDS machines, lowering program life-cycle costs, minimizing impacts to TSA and airport and airline operations, and providing a flexible security infrastructure. As part of this effort, TSA identified the 25 airports that should first receive federal funding for the installation of in-line EDS systems, and the optimal checked baggage screening solutions for the 250 airports with the highest checked baggage volumes. In February 2006, TSA estimated that installing and operating the optimal checked baggage screening systems will cost about $22.4 billion over 20 years and reported that under current investment levels, installation of optimal baggage screening systems would not be completed until approximately 2024. TSA is collaborating with airport operators, airlines, and other key stakeholders to identify funding and cost sharing strategies and is focusing its research and development efforts on the next generation of EDS technology. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security : Vulnerabilities Exposed Through Covert Testing of TSA’s Passenger Screening Process

This technical report (GAO-08-48T) was published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office in November 2007. In August 2006, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) substantially modified its passenger screening policies based on the alleged transatlantic bomb plot uncovered by British authorities. With the aim of closing security gaps revealed by the alleged plot, the revised policies severely restricted the amount of liquids, gels, and aerosols TSA allowed passengers to bring through the checkpoint. At the Committee’s request, GAO tested whether security gaps exist in the passenger screening process. To perform this work, GAO attempted to (1) obtain the instructions and components needed to create devices that a terrorist might use to cause severe damage to an airplane and threaten the safety of passengers and (2) test whether GAO investigators could pass through airport security checkpoints undetected with all the components needed to create the devices. GAO conducted covert testing at a nonrepresentative selection of 19 airports across the country. After concluding its tests, GAO provided TSA with two timely briefings to help it take corrective action. In these briefings, GAO suggested that TSA consider several actions to improve its passenger screening program, including aspects of human capital, processes, and technology. GAO is currently performing a more systematic review of these issues and expects to issue a comprehensive public report with recommendations for TSA in early 2008. The findings result in this report. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security Biometrics Working Group (ASBWG)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have established the ASBWG in order to accelerate its study of the integration of biometrics into airport security systems. Areas that have been identified for consideration include access control, the protection of the public in and around airports, and passenger and aircrew identification. The multi-agency group is co-chaired by the FAA and the Department of Defense Counterdrug Technology Development Program Office. Other representatives include the U.S. Customs Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, National Institute of Justice, Technical Support Working Group, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Of particular note on the Web site is the Biometrics Catalog, a U.S. Government sponsored database of information about biometric technologies including research and evaluation reports, news articles, vendors and consultants, government documents and legislative text.

Aviation Security Derogations : Consultation on Regulation EC300/2008

This provides access to a UK Department for Transport document dated December 2009. Documents seek views on how DfT should apply mandatory European Commission aviation security standards, set by Regulation EC300/2008, effective from 29 April 2010. They explain options on ‘derogating’ (not applying common basic standards) to airports or their demarcated areas, where up to 10 types of traffic operate. Derogations are subject to adopting alternative security measures that provide an adequate protection on the basis of a local risk assessment for these sites. Closing date for comments is 3rd March 2010. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Aviation Security International : the Journal of Airport and Airline Security

This bimonthly magazine covers security issues within the aviation industry. Although only subscribers can view the full text of the magazine, there is a considerable amount of content that can be viewed free of charge. This includes the editorial of each issue and 'Airwatch', a record of incidents of hijacks, attempted hijacks, air rage, sabotage and airport attacks. A buyers guide provides details of suppliers of products such as weapons detector devices, access control products and baggage reconciliation equipment. The site also provides DVDs, CDs, Books, Restraint kits and IED Testing kits. They also hold a number of seminars as part of the green light initiative.

Aviation Security Related Findings and Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission

This is a Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report for Congress RL32541, prepared by Bart Elias Specialist in Aviation Safety, Security, and Technology Resources, Science, and Industry Division, updated October 13, 2004. The 9/11 Commission issued several recommendations designed to strengthen aviation security by: enhancing passenger pre-screening; improving measures to detect explosives on passengers; addressing human factors issues at screening checkpoints; expediting deployment of in-line baggage screening systems; intensifying efforts to identify, track, and screen potentially dangerous cargo; and deploying hardened cargo containers on passenger aircraft. In addition to these specific recommendations, an overarching recommendation for transportation security policy asserts that priorities should be set based on risk, and the most practical and cost effective deterrents should be implemented assigning appropriate roles and missions to federal, state, and local authorities, as well as private. In response to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations, the National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-458; 118 Stat. 3638) was enacted on December 17, 2004. The act contains numerous aviation security provisions, many of which address 9/11 Commission recommendations related to aviation safety. These provisions build upon prior aviation security-related provisions, contained in Vision 100 - the Century of Aviation Reathorization Act (P.L. 108-176; 117 Stat. 2490) that was enacted a year earlier on December 12, 2003, addressing many of the concerns expressed by the 9/11 Commission. This report will not be updated. The text of the report is available in PDF format

Aviation Security: Challenges Delay Implementation of Computer-Assisted Passenger Prescreening System

This technical report(GAO-04-504T)was published by the United States General Accounting Office in March 2004. The security of U.S. commercial aviation is a long-standing concern, and substantial efforts have been undertaken to strengthen it. One such effort is the development of a new Computer-Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS II) to identify passengers requiring additional security attention. The development of CAPPS II has raised a number of issues, including whether individuals may be inappropriately targeted for additional screening and whether data accessed by the system may compromise passengers' privacy. GAO was asked to summarize the results of its previous report that looked at (1) the development status and plans for CAPPS II; (2) the status of CAPPS II in addressing key developmental, operational, and public acceptance issues; and (3) additional challenges that could impede the successful implementation of the system. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file, so Adobe Acrobat software will be required to read it.

Aviation Security: Challenges Exist in Stabilizing and Enhancing Passenger and Baggage Screening Operations

This technical report(GAO-04-440T)was published by the United States General Accounting Office in February 2004. Securing commercial aviation is a daunting task--with hundreds of airports and thousands of flights daily carrying millions of passengers and pieces of baggage. In an effort to strengthen the security of commercial aviation, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created and charged with making numerous enhancements to aviation security, including federalizing passenger and baggage screening and screening checked baggage using explosive detection systems. To assess the progress of passenger and baggage screening operations, GAO was asked to describe TSA's efforts to (1) hire and deploy passenger and baggage screeners, (2) train the screening workforce, (3) measure screener performance in detecting threat objects, and (4) leverage and deploy screening equipment and technologies. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file, so Adobe Acrobat will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Challenges in Using Biometric Technologies

This technical report (GAO-04-785T) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in May 2004. One of the primary functions of any security system is the control of people moving into or out of protected areas, such as physical buildings, information systems, and our national border.Technologies called biometrics can automate the identification of people by one or more of their distinct physical or behavioral characteristics. The term biometrics covers a wide range of technologies that can be used to verify identity by measuring and analyzing human characteristics--relying on attributes of the individual instead of things the individual may have or know.Since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, laws have been passed that require a more extensive use of biometric technologies in the federal government. In 2002, GAO conducted a technology assessment on the use of biometrics for border security. GAO was asked to testify about the issues that it raised in the report, the current state of the technology, and the application of biometrics to aviation security.

Aviation Security: Efforts to Measure Effectiveness and Address Challenges

This technical report (GAO-04-232T) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in November 2003. It has been 2 years since the attacks of September 11,2001, exposed vulnerabilities in the nation's aviation system. Since then, billions of dollars have been spent on a wide range of initiatives designed to enhance the security of commercial aviation. However, vulnerabilities in aviation security continue to exist. As a result, questions have been raised regarding the effectiveness of established initiatives in protecting commercial aircraft from threat objects, and whether additional measures are needed to further enhance security. Accordingly, GAO was asked to describe the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) efforts to (1) measure the effectiveness of its aviation security initiatives, particularly its passenger screening program; (2) implement a risk management approach to prioritize efforts and focus resources; and (3) address key challenges to further enhance aviation security. [Taken from abstract]. This is in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Efforts to Measure Effectiveness and Strengthen Security Programs

This technical report (GAO-04-285T) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in November 2003. Commercial aviation has been a long-standing target for terrorists. Since the tragic attacts of September 11, 2001, substantial changes have been made to enhance security--including the creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the federalization of the passenger screener workforce. However, despite these changes, vulnerabilities in aviation security continue to exist. Accordingly, GAO was asked to describe TSA's efforts to (1) measure the effectiveness of its aviation security initiatives, (2) strengthen its passenger screening program, and (3) address additional challenges in further enhancing aviation security. [Taken from abstract]. This is in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Federal Action Needed to Strengthen Domestic Air Cargo Security

This technical report (GAO-06-76) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in October 2005. In 2004, an estimated 23 billion pounds of air cargo was transported within the United States, about a quarter of which was transported on passenger aircraft. Within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for ensuring the security of commercial aviation, including the transportation of cargo by air. To evaluate the status of TSA's efforts to secure domestic air cargo, GAO examined (1) the extent to which TSA used a risk management approach to guide decisions on securing air cargo, (2) the actions TSA has taken to ensure the security of air cargo and the factors that may limit their effectiveness, and (3) TSA's plans for enhancing air cargo security and the challenges TSA and industry stakeholders face in implementing these plans. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Federal Air Marshal Service Could Benefit from Improved Planning and Controls

This technical report (GAO-06-203) was publsihed by the United States General Accounting Office in November 2005. The U.S. Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) has undergone a number of changes in recent years, including a 2003 transfer from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau (ICE), and a 2005 transfer from ICE back to TSA. A key aspect of federal air marshals' operating procedures is the discreet movement through airports as they check in for their flight, transit screening checkpoints, and board the aircraft. This report discusses FAMS's (1) transfer to ICE and key practices that could facilitate its return to TSA, and (2) management of mission-related incidents that affect air marshals' ability to operate discreetly. This is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Federal Air Marshal Service Is Addressing Challenges of Its Expanded Mission and Workforce, but Additional Actions Needed

This technical report (GAO-04-242) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in November 2003. To help strengthen aviation security after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Congress expanded the size and mission of the Federal Air Marshal Service (the Service) and located the Service within the newly created Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Between November 2001 and July 1, 2002, the Service grew from fewer than 50 air marshals to thousands, and its mission expanded to include the protection of domestic as well as international flights. In March 2003, the Service, with TSA, merged into the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS); and in November 2003, it was transferred from TSA and merged into DHS's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). GAO looked at operational and management control issues that emerged during the rapid expansion of the Service, specifically addressing its (1) background check procedures and training; (2) management information, policies, and procedures; and (3) challenges likely to result from its mergers into DHS and ICE. [Taken from abstract]. This is in |PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Further Steps Needed to Strengthen the Security of Commercial Airport Perimeters and Access Controls

This technical report (GAO-04-728) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in June 2004. In the 2 years since passage of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has primarily focused its efforts on improving aviation security through enhanced passenger and baggage screening. The act also contained provisions directing TSA to take actions to improve the security of airport perimeters, access controls, and airport workers. GAO was asked to assess TSA's efforts to: (1) evaluate the security of airport perimeters and the controls that limit access into secured airport areas, (2) help airports implement and enhance perimeter security and access controls by providing them funding and technical guidance, and (3) implement measures to reduce the potential security risks posed by airport workers. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Further Study of Safety and Effectiveness and Better Management Controls Needed If Air Carriers Resume Interest in Deploying Less-than-Lethal Weapons

This technical report (GAO-06-475) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in May 2006. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has authority to approve air carrier requests to deploy less-than-lethal weapons, including electric stun devices, onboard commercial aircraft to thwart an attack. Since the terrorist attacks of 2001, one air carrier received approval to deploy electric stun devices. To address concerns regarding reports of injuries after the use of these devices and to ensure that the impacts of these devices onboard aircraft have been fully evaluated, this report answers the following: (1) What analyses has the federal government conducted to assess the safety and effectiveness of these devices onboard commercial aircraft? (2) What controls does TSA have in place to help ensure uniform and timely review of air carrier requests to deploy these devices onboard commercial aircraft? [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat softwarte will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Measure for Testing the Impact of Using Commercial Data for the Secure Flight Program

This technical report (GAO-05-324) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in February 2005. TSA developed a concept test to determine the utility of using commercial data for Secure Flight as a first step in determining its impact on aviation security. The results of this test are intended to provide TSA with the basis for refining performance measures that identify impacts on aviation security prior to subsequent testing, should the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and TSA decide to pursue the use of commercial data. TSA developed initial measures for commercial data concept testing that are intended to provide information related to impacts on aviation security, including improvements in false positive and false negative rates. TSA, in coordination with the contractor, plans to refine these measures during concept testing—to include the establishment of performance targets—and prior to overall Secure Flight system testing, should DHS and TSA decide to pursue the use of commercial data. TSA measures developed to date for commercial data testing do not, and were not designed to, provide information on overall system operations (i.e., system response time, connectivity with air carriers, security, and privacy), or identify impacts of using commercial data on aviation security in an operational environment. Accordingly, the measures do not generally reflect attributes of successful performance measures for these purposes. Additional work reviewing TSA’s refined measures, should DHS and TSA decide to pursue the use of commercial data for Secure Flight beyond concept testing, would be needed to determine if the measures are designed to identify relevant impacts on aviation security and reflect attributes of successful performance measures. [Taken from abstract]. This is in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Measures for Testing the Impact of Using Commercial Data for the Secure Flight Program

This technical report (GAO-05-324) was published by the United Sates General Accounting Office dated February 2005. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is developing a new passenger prescreening program, known as Secure Flight. Under the Secure Flight program, TSA plans to take over, from commercial airlines, the responsibility for comparing identifying information of domestic airline passengers against information on known or suspected terrorists. TSA is also considering using commercial data as part of Secure Flight if the data are shown, through testing, to improve the results of these comparisons. In the 2005 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, Congress mandated that, prior to testing the use of commercial data for Secure Flight, TSA develop measures to assess the impacts of using commercial data on aviation security, and that GAO review the measures. In response to that mandate, we reviewed TSA's measures for commercial data testing and briefed congressional staff on January 11, 2005, on our findings. This report documents the results of our review, which we presented in that briefing. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Preliminary Observations on TSA's Progress to Allow Airports to Use Private Passenger and Baggage Screening Services

This technical report (GAO-05-126) was published by the United States General Accounting Office dated January 2005. Beginning on November 19, 2004, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is required by law to begin allowing commercial airports to apply to use private contractors to screen passengers and checked baggage. A federal workforce has performed this work since November 2002, in response to a congressional mandate that the federal government take over screening services after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. A 2-year pilot program at five airports testing the effectiveness of private sector screening in a post-September 11 environment concluded on November 18, 2004. This report contains GAO's preliminary observations related to TSA's progress in developing a private-sector screening program that allows airports to apply to opt out of using federal screeners. GAO assessed: (1) the status of TSA's efforts to develop policies and procedures for the opt-out program, including operational plans and guidelines for selecting airports and contractors that may participate; (2) guidance about the opt-out program that TSA has provided to airport operators and other stakeholders, or plans to develop, and how the information is communicated; and (3) TSA's efforts to develop performance measures for evaluating the opt-out program and contractor performance. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Private Screening Contractors Have Little Flexibility to Implement Innovative Approaches

This technical report (GAO-04-505T) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in April 2004. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, resulted in fundamental changes in the way the United States screens airport passengers and their property. One of the most significant changes was the shift from using private screeners to using federal screeners at all but five commercial airports in the United States. These five airports are part of a pilot program, where private screeners perform screening functions. The mission of the Private Screening Pilot Program, as defined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is to test the effectiveness of increased operational flexibility at the airport level that contractors may provide. GAO was asked to describe (1) the challenges and limitations of the private screening pilot program, (2) the operational flexibilities TSA has provided to the private screening companies, and (3) the performance of private and federal screeners in detecting threat objects. This testimony is based on our prior and ongoing work on TSA airport passenger and baggage screeners. [Taken from abstract]. This is in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Progress Made to Set Up Program Using Private-Sector Airport Screeners, but More Work Remains

This technical report (GAO-06-166) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in March 2006. In November 2004, as required by law, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began allowing all commercial airports to apply to use private screeners in lieu of federal screeners as part of its Screening Partnership Program (SPP). GAO's prior work found that airports and potential private screening contractors had concerns about the SPP, including whether they would be liable in the event of a terrorist attack and how roles and responsibilities would be divided among TSA airport staff and private screening contractors. This report addresses TSA's efforts to (1) provide liability protection to private screening contractors and airports and address other SPP stakeholder concerns; (2) achieve cost-savings through the SPP; and (3) establish performance goals and measures for the SPP. DHS and Congress have begun to address whether liability protection may be offered to current and prospective private screening contractors and airports using private screeners. DHS has already provided some liability protection to three of the four current private screening contractors. However, DHS officials stated that they cannot provide additional coverage, which would render contractors virtually immune from all pertinent claims, because TSA has not finalized performance standards that would allow DHS to determine if contractors will perform as intended--a criterion that must be satisfied before providing such additional protection. Recently enacted legislation shields airports from virtually all liability resulting from the negligence or wrongdoing committed by a private screening company or its employees. TSA has also taken action to improve the screener hiring process by granting contractors and TSA airport officials more input and flexibility in the hiring process. Additionally, TSA has defined the roles and responsibilities for SPP stakeholders--TSA airport staff and private screening contractors, among others--in its August 2005 SPP transition plan. However, the details in this plan have not been shared with private screening contractors, and all four contractors we interviewed were unclear about TSA staff roles and responsibilities at the airports they served. TSA has stated that the SPP will operate at a cost that is competitive with equivalent federal operations and will achieve cost-savings where possible. Over the last 3 years, TSA has awarded cost-reimbursement contracts with an award fee component for screening services at four of the five airports currently using private screeners. The award fee is based, in part, on contractor cost-savings. However, opportunities for TSA cost-savings may be limited because under the cost-reimbursement contracts TSA bears most of the cost risk--the risk of paying more than it expected. TSA plans to shift more cost risk to contractors by competitively awarding fixed-price-award fee contracts for screening services at the four smallest airports that will participate in the SPP. TSA also plans to competitively award fixed-price contracts for screening services at larger airports, but stated that they cannot do so for up to 2 years--when officials believe that screening costs at larger airports will be better known. TSA has developed performance goals and has begun drafting related measures and targets to assess the performance of private screening contractors under the SPP in the areas of security, customer service, costs, workforce management, and innovation. For example, one of the measures would require contractors to ensure that new hires receive required training. TSA's related target for this measure is that 100 percent of new hires will complete required training. These same measures and targets will also be used by DHS to assess whether to award full liability coverage under the SAFETY Act. TSA officials stated that DHS must approve the draft performance measures and targets before they can be finalized. As of January 2006, DHS had not yet completed its review. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Registered Traveler Program Policy and Implementation Issues

This technical report (GAO-03-253) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in November 2002. The aviation industry and business traveler groups have proposed the registered traveler concept as a way to reduce long waits in airport security lines caused by heightened security screening measures implemented after the September 11 terrorist attacks. In addition, aviation security experts have advocated this concept as a way to better target security resources to those travelers who might pose greater security risks. The Aviation and Transportation Security Act of November 2001 allows the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to consider developing a registered traveler program as a way to address these two issues. GAO completed this review to inform Congress and TSA of policy and implementation issues related to the concept of a registered traveler program. [Taken from abstract]. This is in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Screener Training and Performance Measurement Strengthened, but More Work Remains

This technical report (GAO-05-457) was published by the United States General Accounting Office dated May 2005. The screening of airport passengers and their checked baggage is a critical component in securing our nation's commercial aviation system. Since May 2003, GAO has issued six products related to screener training and performance. This report updates the information presented in the prior products and incorporates results from GAO's survey of 155 Federal Security Directors--the ranking Transportation Security Administration (TSA) authority responsible for the leadership and coordination of TSA security activities at the nation's commercial airports. Specifically, this report addresses (1) actions TSA has taken to enhance training for passenger and checked baggage screeners and screening supervisors, (2) how TSA ensures that screeners complete required training, and (3) actions TSA has taken to measure and enhance screener performance in detecting threat objects. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in ordr to read it.

Aviation Security: Secure Flight Development and Testing Under Way, but Risks should be Managed as System Further Developed

This technical report (GAO-05-356) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in March 2005. Among its efforts to strengthen aviation security, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is developing a new passenger prescreening system—known as Secure Flight. As required by Congress, TSA is planning to assume, through Secure Flight, the prescreening function currently performed by the air carriers. This report assesses the (1) status of Secure Flight’s development and implementation, (2) factors that could influence the effectiveness of Secure Flight, (3) processes used to oversee and manage the Secure Flight program, and (4) efforts taken to minimize the impacts on passengers and protect passenger rights. In conducting this assessment, we addressed the 10 specific areas of congressional interest related to Secure Flight outlined in Public Law 108-334. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Systematic Planning Needed to Optimize the Deployment of Checked Baggage Screening Systems

This technical report (GAO-05-365) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in March 2005. Mandated to screen all checked baggage using explosive detection systems at airports by December 31, 2003, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) deployed two types of screening equipment: explosives detection systems (EDS), which use computer-aided tomography X-rays to recognize the characteristics of explosives, and explosives trace detection (ETD) systems, which use chemical analysis to detect traces of explosive material vapors or residues. This report assesses (1) TSA's use of budgeted funds to install EDS and ETD systems and the impact of initially deploying these systems, (2) TSA and airport actions to install EDS machines in-line with baggage conveyor systems, and the federal resources made available for this purpose, and (3) actions taken by TSA to optimally deploy checked baggage screening systems. [Taken from abstract]> This is available in PDF format so will require Adobe Acrobat software in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Terrorist Acts Demonstrate Urgent Need to Improve Security at the Nation's Airports

This technical report (GAO-01-1162T)was published by the United States General Accounting Office in September 2001. A safe and secure civil aviation system is a critical component of the nation's overall security, physical infrastructure, and economic foundation. Billions of dollars and myriad programs and policies have been devoted to achieving such a system. Although it is not fully known at this time what actually occurred or what all the weaknesses in the nation's aviation security apparatus are that contributed to the horrendous events on September 11, 2001, it is clear that serious weaknesses exist in our aviation security system and that their impact can be far more devastating than previously imagined. As reported last year, GAO's review of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) oversight of air traffic control (ATC) computer systems showed that FAA had not followed some critical aspects of its own security requirements. Specifically, FAA had not ensured that ATC buildings and facilities were secure, that the systems themselves were protected, and that the contractors who access these systems had undergone background checks. Controls for limiting access to secure areas, including aircraft, have not always worked as intended. GAO's special agents used fictitious law enforcement badges and credentials to gain access to secure areas, bypass security checkpoints at two airports, and walk unescorted to aircraft departure gates. Tests of screeners revealed significant weaknesses as measured in their ability to detect threat objects located on passengers or contained in their carry-on luggage. Screening operations in Belgium, Canada, France, the Netherlands,and the United Kingdom--countries whose systems GAO has examined--differ from this country's in some significant ways. Their screening operations require more extensive qualifications and training for screeners, include higher pay and better benefits, and often include different screening techniques, such as "pat-downs" of some passengers. [Taken from abstract]. This is a text file.

Aviation Security: Terrorist Acts Illustrate Severe Weaknesses in Aviation Security

This technical report GAO-01-1166T) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in September 2001. A safe and secure civil aviation system is critical to the nation's security, physical infrastructure, and economy. Billions of dollars and myriad programs and policies have been devoted to achieving such a system. Although it is not fully known at this time what actually occurred or what all the weaknesses in the nation's aviation security apparatus are that contributed to the horrendous events on September 11, 2001, it is clear that serious weaknesses exist in our aviation security system and that their impact can be far more devastating than previously imagined. As reported last year, GAO's review of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) oversight of air traffic control (ATC) computer systems showed that FAA had not followed some critical aspects of its own security requirements. Specifically, FAA had not ensured that ATC buildings and facilities were secure, that the systems themselves were protected, and that the contractors who use these systems had undergone background checks. Controls for limiting access to secure areas, including aircraft, have not always worked as intended. GAO's special agents used fictitious law enforcement badges and credentials to gain access to secure areas, bypass security checkpoints at two airports, and walk unescorted to aircraft departure gates. Tests of screeners revealed significant weaknesses in their ability to detect threat objects on passengers or in their carry-on luggage. Screening operations in Belgium, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom--countries whose systems GAO has examined--differ from this country's in some significant ways. Their screening operations require more extensive qualifications and training for screeners; include higher pay and better benefits; and often include different screening techniques, such as "pat-downs" of some passengers. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file, so Adobe Acrobat will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: TSA Is Increasing Procurement and Deployment of the Advanced Imaging Technology, but Challenges to This Effort and Other Areas of Aviation Security Remain

This provides access to a U.S. Government Accountability Office Report GAO-10-484T dated March 2010. The attempted bombing of Northwest flight 253 highlighted the importance of detecting improvised explosive devices on passengers. This testimony focuses on (1) the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) efforts to procure and deploy advanced imaging technology (AIT), and related challenges; and (2) TSA's efforts to strengthen screening procedures and technology in other areas of aviation security, and related challenges. This testimony is based on related products GAO issued from March 2009 through January 2010, selected updates conducted from December 2009 through March 2010 on the AIT procurement, and ongoing work on air cargo security. For the ongoing work and updates, GAO obtained information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and TSA and interviewed senior TSA officials regarding air cargo security and the procurement, deployment, operational testing, and assessment of costs and benefits of the AIT. In response to the December 25, 2009, attempted attack on Northwest flight 253, TSA revised the AIT procurement and deployment strategy, increasing the planned deployment of AITs from 878 to 1,800 units and using AITs as a primary--instead of a secondary--screening measure where feasible; however, challenges remain. In October 2009, GAO reported on the challenges TSA faced deploying new technologies such as the explosives trace portal (ETP) without fully testing them in an operational environment, and recommended such testing prior to future deployments. TSA officials concurred and stated that, unlike the ETP, operational testing for the AIT was successfully completed late in 2009 before its deployment was fully initiated. While officials said AITs performed as well as physical pat downs in operational tests, it remains unclear whether the AIT would have detected the weapon used in the December 2009 incident based on the preliminary information GAO has received. GAO is verifying that TSA successfully completed operational testing of the AIT. In October 2009, GAO also recommended that TSA complete cost-benefit analyses for new passenger screening technologies. While TSA conducted a life-cycle cost estimate and an alternatives analysis for the AIT, it reported that it has not conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the original deployment strategy or the revised AIT deployment strategy, which proposes a more than twofold increase in the number of machines to be procured. GAO estimates increases in staffing costs alone due to doubling the number of AITs that TSA plans to deploy could add up to $2.4 billion over its expected service life. While GAO recognizes that TSA is attempting to address a vulnerability exposed by the December 2009 attempted attack, a cost-benefit analysis is important as it would help inform TSA's judgment about the optimal deployment strategy for the AITs, and how best to address this vulnerability considering all elements of the screening system. TSA has also taken actions towards strengthening other areas of aviation security but continues to face challenges. For example, TSA has taken steps to meet the statutory mandate to screen 100 percent of air cargo transported on passenger aircraft by August 2010, including developing a program to share screening responsibilities across the air cargo supply chain. However, as GAO reported in March 2009, a number of challenges to this effort exist, including attracting participants to the TSA screening program, completing technology assessments, and overseeing additional entities that it expects to participate in the program. GAO is exploring these issues as part of an ongoing review of TSA's air cargo security program which GAO plans to issue later this year. Further, while TSA has taken a variety of actions to strengthen the security of commercial airports, GAO reported in September 2009 that TSA continues to face challenges in several areas, such as assessing risk and evaluating worker screening methods. In September 2009, GAO also recommended that TSA develop a national strategy to guide stakeholder efforts to strengthen airport perimeter and access control security, to which DHS concurred. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Aviation Security: Vulnerabilities and Potential Improvements for the Air Cargo System

This technical report (GAO-03-344) was published by the United Sattes General Accounting Office in December 2002. U.S. air carriers transport billions of tons of cargo each year in both passenger planes and all-cargo planes. Typically, about one-half of the hull of each passenger aircraft is filled with cargo. As a result, any vulnerabilities in the air cargo security system potentially threaten the entire air transport system. GAO agreed to determine the security vulnerabilities that have been identified in the air cargo system, the status of key recommendations that have been made since 1990 to improve air cargo security, and ways in which air cargo security can be improved in the near-and long-term. [Taken from abstract. This is a text file.

Aviation Security: Weaknesses in Airport Security and Options for Assigning Screening Responsibilities

This technical report (GAO-01-1165T)was published by the United States General Accounting Office in September 2001. A safe and secure civil aviation system is a critical component of the nation's overall security, physical infrastructure, and economic foundation. Billions of dollars and a myriad of programs and policies have been devoted to achieving such a system. Although it is not fully known at this time what actually occurred or what all the weaknesses in the nation's aviation security apparatus are that contributed to the horrendous terrorist acts of Semptember 11, 2001, it is clear that serious weaknesses exist in the nation's aviation security system and that their impact can be far more devastating than previously imagined. There are security concerns with (1) airport access controls, (2) passenger and carry-on baggage screening, and (3) alternatives to current screening practices, including practices in selected other countries. Controls for limiting access to secure areas, including aircraft, have not always worked as intended. In May of 2000, special agents used counterfeit law enforcement badges and credentials to gain access to secure areas at two airports, bypassing security checkpoints and walking unescorted to aircraft departure gates. In June 2000, testing of screeners showed that significant, long-standing weaknesses--measured by the screeners' abilities to detect threat objects located on passengers or contained in their carry-on luggage-continue to exist. More recent results show that as tests more closely approximate how a terrorist might attempt to penetrate a checkpoint--screeners' performance declines significantly. Weaknesses in screening and controlling access to secure are as have left questions concerning alternative approaches. In assessing alternatives, respondents identified five important criteria: improving screening performance, establishing accountability, ensuring cooperation among stakeholders, moving people efficiently, and minimizing legal and liability issues. This is a PDF file so Adobe Acrobat will be required in order to read it.

Aviation Week : Aerospace Source Book

This provides brief company profiles of aviation and aerospace companies grouped under the following headings: Prime Contractors; Major Airlines; Regional Airlines; and Cargo Airlines. The profiles can be viewed online in PDF format. The Aerospace Sourcebook also provides access to a series of articles which examine various market sectors including fighters, bombers, commercial and military transports, air freight, UAVs, trainers, rotorcraft, spacecraft, missiles, and avionics. The information is drawn from Aviation Week & Space Technology.

Ballistic Experiments With Titanium and Aluminum Targets : Final Report

This provides access to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report, DOT/FAA/AR-01/21, by Raymond P. Gogolowski and Bruce R. Morgan, dated April 2001. The report describes experiments in penetration mechanics on 6Al-4V titanium and 2024-T3 aluminium. The purpose of the tests was to determine the ballistic speed limits of the two alloys, and the failure modes of the projectiles and targets. The full text of the report is available in PDF format from the online catalogue of the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Library.

Border and Transportation Security : Overview of Congressional Issues

This is a Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report for Congress RL32705, prepared by Jennifer E. Lake, December 17, 2004. This report provides a summary of selected border and transportation security (BTS) concepts and issues that may be of interest to the 109th Congress. These issues include immigration-related border security issues; cargo security issues; aviation and non-aviation transportation security; and maritime security issues. An appendix contains summaries of the following: key recommendations of the 9/11 Commission affecting border and transportation security; similar provisions in the recently enacted Intelligence Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act of 2004, and Homeland Security Presidential Directive 11 (HSPD-11). This report will be updated as events require. The text of the report is available in PDF format.

British Air Line Pilots Association

BALPA's main goal is to promote the highest standards of safety and security in the aviation industry through its role as a professional association and trade union for flight crew in the UK and overseas. The web site provides an overview of the Association including a history, structure, visions and goals, and benefits to members. There is a media and press section which provides access to press releases, and a range of other documents covering technical, campaign, employment, and regulatory briefings. The site also has a members only area.

CFD Validation for Contaminant Transport in Aircraft Cabin Ventilation Flow Fields

This provides access to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report DOT/FAA/AM-04/7 by Robert Garner ...[et al] dated April 2004. Civil transport aircraft have clearly been demonstrated as a preferred target of terrorist organizations through the years. The threat of the release of a noxious chemical or biological agent into the passenger cabin is real. Protection of occupants is critical for maintaining public confidence in air travel. Therefore, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) is directing a project for quantitative evaluation of the distribution of contaminants released during mid-flight in commercial airliner passenger cabins. The effort uses the CAMI 747 Aircraft Environmental Research Facility (AERF) to collect airflow data to be used to validate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) algorithms that can predict the potential distribution of a variety of particles in the aircraft. The cabin velocity vector field is measured at a number of points within the cabin using 3-dimensional sonic and conventional hot-wire anemometers. These data serve as a comparison basis to simulation via CFD that predicts the 3-dimensional ventilation flow field. This paper presents the first results of validation of CFD prediction of the cabin flow field in a segment of a 747 AERF. Agreement between the data and the simulation is good, hence represents the first steps towards development of a CFD system to quantitatively study contaminant distribution and assist in testing optimal responses to an attack on various airframes. The release of a chemical weapon has been the focus of work to date, but CFD is ultimately applicable to predicting the distribution of other entities through the aircraft environmental control system (ECS) such as biological, nuclear, or other toxic agents. Concurrently, the approach is applicable to generic cabin air quality issues where an understanding of flow fields is of critical importance in terms of the role that fresh air and contaminant levels play in passenger comfort, health, and safety. [Taken from abstract]. The full text of the report is available in PDF format from the online catalogue of the FAA.

Checkpoint Effectiveness and Efficiency Evaluation : Final Report

This provides access to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report, DOT/FAA/AR-00/7, by J.L. Fobes, Michael D. Snyder, and Brenda A. Klock, dated October 1999. The report describes a method to measure the operational effectiveness and efficiency of airport security checkpoints. are included for acquiring the basic information through observation of the checkpoint (directly or with video cameras) and Threat Image Projection data. The full text of the report is available in PDF format, from the FAA's Office of Aviation Research web site.

Civil Aviation Authority : Safety Regulation Group : Research Programme 2003/2004

This document contains details of projects that are managed by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Safety Regulation Groupo (SRG). The projects are presented under sub-headings which, largely, correspond with technology areas within SRG. An appendix contains projects with which SRG are either associated or interested in but which are being carried out by other organisations. The document also lists the reports and papers produced during the period April 2002 to March 2003 as a result of SRG funded or managed work. The text of the document is available in PDF (2.8 Mb)format.

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand

The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand establishes civil aviation safety and security standards and carries out accident and incident investigations. The site makes a large amount of full text information available including advisory circulars, emergency rules, airworthiness directives, accident briefs, safety trends, air navigation register, aircraft register, aircraft class statistics, and aircraft model statistics.

Civil Aviation Department Hong Kong (CAD)

The CAD is responsible for the safe operation and regulation of the air transport system in Hong Kong. The site provides background information on the CAD's mission, values, and organisational structure, and includes a corporate video (requires RealPlayer 8 or above). Information on the site is arranged under a series of headings: topical issues, such as security, aircraft noise management, air traffic control safety, aircraft registration and licence and certificates; publications and press releases; which includes Airworthiness Requirement and Aircraft Accident Reports; Facts and Statistics, including air traffic statistics; Public Services; Recruitment; Tender Notices; FAQ; Links and Photo Gallery. The Hong Kong Aeronautical Publication is available online with amendments, and there are also descriptions of the various courses offered by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Training Center.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)

CASA is responsible for establishing civil aviation safety and security standards and for monitoring compliance to those standards in the Republic of Korea. The site provides an introduction including a description of key activities, history, organisation, location and contact details. The activities section provides links to information by the various CASA divisions responsible for planning and coordination, flight standards, personnel licensing, aircraft engineering, aviation security, aviation safety oversight, air traffic services planning, airway facilities, airport planning and standards, airport development, airport environment, and the International Programs office. There is a general infomation section which describes flight services, the Korean airport system, airways technology and facilities, safety and security activities and programmes, air traffic control, and a range of statistics relating to domestic and international passengers, cargo, flights, operators and maintenance organisations, aircraft registrations, and licensed employees. A Library section provides access to guidance documents and there are also links to sites of related interest.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority Australia (CASA)

The main functions of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) are: Development and implementation of aviation safety policy and regulating civil aviation safety. The site provides access to a wealth of safety related information including the following: Civil Aviation Act and Regulations, Civil Aviation Orders, Civil Aviation Advisory Publications (CAAPs), Approved Advisory Circulars, Recent Changes, Exemptions register, Foreign legislation, Airworthiness Directives, Airworthiness Advisory Circulars, Drafts of the new CASR, Discussion Papers, Notices of Proposed Rule Making and Summary of Responses, Aircraft Defect Reporting, and Reference documents supporting the regulatory change process. The site also provides access to the Australian Aircraft Register, information for pilots and operators, and online issues of "Flight Safety Australia", CASA's safety magazine. CASA forms amd manuals are also available online. The media section contains an extensive collection of news releases and other full text CASA documents.

Cleanup and Recovery of Passenger Transportation Facilities after a Bio-Attack

This is a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center resource paper, prepared by Dr. Aviva Brecher, March 2004. The text of the paper is available in PDF format from the 2004 Published and Presented section of the 2004 Published and Presented at the Volpe Center Publication web site.

Commission of the European Communities : A European Community Contribution to World Aviation Safety Improvement

The is a PDF version of a Communication from the European Commission, COM(2001) 390 final, published 16 July 2001. It identifies what actions should be taken to ensure an effective global approach to aviation safety within the framework of the Chicago Convention on international civil aviation and using the available Community instruments.

Confronting Passive Sponsors of Terrorism

This report is published by the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution and was written by Daniel L. Byman. It is designated Analysis Paper no. 4 and was published in February 2005. The report argues that for many terrorist groups, a state’s tolerance of or passivity toward their activities is often as important to their success as any deliberate assistance they receive. It analyses four countries that have passively supported, or at least tolerated, terrorism - Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Greece and the United States. The full report is available in PDF format.

Consultation on Airport capacity, efficiency and safety in Europe

This describes a European Commission consultation process which was concluded at the end of 2005 (deadline 30 November 2005). The pages provide access to copies of the contributions received Individual ordered by type of organisations including governments, airlines / airline associations, airports / airport associations, international organisations, research and consultants, private consumers, pilots / Air Traffic Control, and Environmental groups.

Counter-Terrorism Training and Resources for Law Enforcement

The origins of this portal web site lie in recommendations made by the Counter-Terrorism Training Coordination Working Group convened by the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Office of Justice Programs to examine the counter-terrorism tools available to law enforcement and first responder communities. The site serves as a single point of access to counter-terrorism training opportunities and related materials available across the Federal Government and from private and nonprofit organizations. It brings together a variety of counter-terrorism-based educational and technical assistance resources, news of forthcoming events, notification of funding awards, a listing of research and statistical sources, information on the latest equipment, procurement opportunities, technology, and standards, listings of resources covering planning and risk assessment, victim assistance, and community preparedness. The site also provides links to relevant US legislation covering terrorism, protocols for preparation, investigation, and national security; and funding for training, equipment, and response planning. The site also contains listing and links to relevant publications. Topics include Aviation Security, Equipment, and Weapons of Mass destruction

Countering the New Terrorism

This electronic book is available to view free of charge chapter-by-chapter in PDF format. It was published in 1999 by the RAND Corporation and has been written by several of its staff. The book traces recent developments of terrorism against civilian and US military targets, assesses the future and the threat of information-based terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

Country Reports on Terrorism 2008

This provides access to a United States Department of State Publication Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism report published April 2009. Significant achievements in border security, information sharing, transportation security, financial controls, and the killing or capture of numerous terrorist leaders have reduced the threat. But the threat remains, and state sponsorship, improved terrorist propaganda capabilities, the pursuit of weapons of mass destruction by some terrorist groups and state sponsors of terrorism, and terrorist exploitation of grievances represent ongoing challenges. [Taken from abstract]. "Country Reports on Terrorism 2008" is submitted in compliance with Title 22 of the United States Code, Section 2656f (the "Act"), which requires the Department of State to provide Congress a full and complete annual report on terrorism for those countries and groups meeting the criteria of the Act. This full text document is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

Defending the U.S. Air Transportation System Against Chemical and Biological Threats

This is a full text book made available by the National Academies Press and produced by the Committee on Assessment of Security Technologies for Transportation, National Research Council. This study is concerned not only with the technologies for detecting the prescence of chemical or biological threat agents in the air transportation context, but also with the mitigation of the impacts of their potential release. The report focusses on the dispersal of threat agents in air, either in airport terminals and their boarding areas or in aircraft. Two kinds of agent release are considered: point releases of agent into open spaces and releases of agents into the inlets of terminal or aircraft heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Chapter 2 describes the threat posed by chemical and biological agents to the air transportation system, and describes a range of attack scenarios that should be considered by government and private sector planners. Concepts for defence against these attacks are explored in chapter 3. Finally chapter 4 presents the Committee's findings and recommendations regarding the role that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) should play in the defence of air transportation spaces against chemical / biological attack. The text is available in Open Book format and there is also an executive summary which is available in PDF.

Demographics and Vision Restrictions in Civilian Pilots: Clinical Implications

This provides access to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report DOT/FAA/AM-04/6 by Van B. Nakagawara ...[et al] dated April 2004. Background: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) permits airmen with certain medical conditions or diseases to be medically certified, provided that such action does not compromise aviation safety. The FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine helps guide policy decisions through the study of common medical pathologies, including visual disorders and the use of new ophthalmic devices and refractive procedures by airmen. To perform this function properly, an in-depth knowledge of the airman population is required. This study examined demographic statistics for the civil airman population, including vision pathologies, for the period 1976 to 2001 and their relevance to the clinical care of aviators by eyecare practitioners. Methods:Medical certification data were extracted from FAA publications and databases for all civil airmen who were active on December 31st of each year from 1976 to 2001. Frequency and medical restriction data were delineated into 5-year increments and analyzed to identify population trends for the 25-year study period. Results: Although the total number of airmen has decreased over the study period (-17%), the population of male and female airmen holding first-class medical certificates has grown by 119% and 1,241%, respectively. The percentage of airmen ¡Ý 40 years of age has increased by 17%, and the average age rose from 36.8 to 42.3 years of age. Additionally, the increase in near vision restrictions (13%) was more than double that of distant vision restrictions (6%) during the study period. As of 2001, 92% of all medical restrictions were vision related. Conclusion: The changing demographic profile of the civil airman population, which includes a growing number of first-class certificate holders, first-class female aviators, and the increasing maturity of the pilot population, maycompound the challenge to eyecare practitioners tasked with advising aviators concerning the proper choice of refractive correction. To guide the clinician in recommending the most appropriate form of refractive correction, the unique aviation vision demands, ergonomic considerations, and environmental conditions experienced by the civilian pilot are discussed. [Taken from abstract]. The full text of the report is available in PDF format from the online catalogue of the FAA.

Department for Transport : Aviation

This is the home page of the U.K. Department for Transport (DFT) Aviation section. The site brings together resources to many full text papers in the areas of aviation environmental issues, air traffic forecasts, air traffic control, aviation safety, health and consumer issues, airports, and domestic and international issues. The site also provides access to current and archived consultation papers.

Department for Transport : Transport Security

The aim of the Transport Security Division (TRANSEC) is to ensure the protection of the travelling public, those employed by the transport industries and transport facilities from acts of violence, unlawful interference and retain public confidence in transport security. This site brings together a number of information resources relating to aviation security issues and the work of TRANSEC. There are documents which describe TRANSEC's mission, aims and objectives, changes to the UK Air Cargo security regime, TRANSEC's response to the terrorist attacks in the USA on September 11th 2001, suppliers of security equipment and training, and security incidents involving civil aviation. These can be viewed on line in HTML format or downloaded as PDF or Word files.

Department for Transport: Aviation Consultation Papers

This section of the DFT site provides the full text of a number of consultation papers related to airports and air transport, dating from 1998 onwards. The site contains current as well as archived consultation documents. Subjects covered include: increased passenger movement at Stansted, airports in South East England, economic regulation of airports, Galileo, satellite navigation services, the 'Single European Sky', access to regional airports, night restrictions at UK airports, National Air Traffic Ltd, and public safety zones. The text of the consulation papers can be accessed in HTML, PDF and Word formats.

Designing Airports for Security : An Analysis of Proposed Changes at LAX

This technical report (IP-251) was published by The RAND Corporation in 2003 and was written by Terry L. Schell, Brian G. Chow and Clifford Grammich. The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Master Plan explores a variety of ways to meet the changing aviation needs of Southern California in coming decades. The needs include increasing the safety of passengers and airport workers. A recent proposed alternative, Alternative D—Safety and Security, includes more features for the security of airport workers and passengers. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file, so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Detection of Explosives for Commercial Aviation Security

Published by the National Academy Press, this electronic book advises the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) on the detection of small, concealed explosives that could be planted surrepticiously by a terrorist on a commercial aeroplane. The book identifies key technologies that can be implemented in airport terminals. The book has been produced by the National Research Council's Committee on Commercial Aviation Security and is available as a series of scanned page images.

Detection of Explosives on Airline Passengers : Recommendation of the 9/11 Commission and Related Issues

This is the full text of CRS report order code RS21920, updated on February 7th, 2005. The report is available in full text and was written by Dana A. Shea and Daniel Morgan, Analysts in Science and Technology Policy Resources, Science, and Industry Division. The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, known as the 9/11 Commission, recommended that Congress and the Transportation Security Administration give priority attention to screening airline passengers for explosives. The key issue for Congress is balancing the costs of mandating passenger explosives trace detection against other aviation security needs. Passenger explosives screening technologies have been under development for several years and are now being tested for suitability in airport operation. Their technical capabilities have not been fully established, and operational and policy issues have not yet been resolved. Critical factors for implementation in airports include reliability, passenger throughput, and passenger privacy concerns. Presuming the successful development and deployment of this technology, certification standards, operational policy, and screening procedures for federal use will need to be established. This topic, which was addressed by Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-458), continues to be of congressional interest in the 109th Congress.

Deterrence Protection and Preparation : The New Transportation Security Imperative

This is United States Transportation Research Board (TRB) Special Report 270, prepared by the National Research Council, Committee on Science and Technology for Countering Terrorism, dated 2002. This special report is organized in five chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction and overview. In Chapter 2, the characteristics of transportation systems are described, and the features of security systems that take these characteristics into account are reviewed. The kinds of research that will be required to support the development and deployment of such security systems are delineated in Chapter 3. Advice to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration on strategic research and planning is presented in Chapter 4, and concluding observations are made in Chapter 5. The text is available in PDF format.

Disruptive Behaviour on Board UK Aircraft Analysis of Incident Reports April 1999 - March 2000

Disruptive Behaviour On Board UK Aircraft: Analysis of Incident Reports April 1999 - March 2000, published by the the UK Department for Transport, 14 July 2000. At the request of the Department for Transport (DFT), UK airlines have since April 1999 reported incidents of disruptive behaviour on board their aircraft to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), on a common reporting basis. The CAA has analysed the data submitted for the seven-month period April 1999 to March 2000, and this note summarises the outcome. The full text of this note is available online in HTML format.

Disruptive Behaviour on Board UK Aircraft Analysis of Incident Reports April 2000 - March 2001

The report was published by the the UK Department for Transport, dated 16 July 2001. At the request of the Department for Transport (DFT), UK airlines have since April 1999 reported incidents of disruptive behaviour on board their aircraft to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), on a common reporting basis. The CAA has analysed the data submitted for the year April 2000 to March 2001. This note summarises the outcome. The full text of this note is available online in HTML format, and can be downloaded in PDF (68 Kb) and MS Word (40 Kb) formats.

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Enhancing Aircraft Survivability: A Vulnerability Perspective Conference

The site contains full-text papers and presentations from a conference sponsored by the National Defense Industrial Association, dated October 21 - 23 1997, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA. The various contributions cover a range of military and commercial topics related to vulnerability and survivability. These include for example, fire safety, structural design issues, aviation security, and orbital debris penetration. Access to the conference presentations is provided by the US Defence Technical Information Center. The files are in Adobe Acrobat 3.0 format.

European Association of Aerospace Industries : Standardisation

Described as a 'portal' for the preparation and promotion of European (EN) standards for aerospace applications. AECMA-STAN, which changed its name to ASD-STAN in October 2005, establishes, develops and maintains standards requested by the European aerospace industry. It is well recognised as the European body for the development of global aerospace standards by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). ASD-STAN is a non profit making Association and membership is open internationally to all Aerospace Associations, companies, consortia, airlines and authorities. Founded by the National Aerospace Associations of France, Italy, Spain and Sweden and large aerospace companies (British Aerospace, EADS-Airbus-Germany, Rolls Royce), it comprises nominated experts from the largest European Aerospace companies, equipment manufacturers and national aerospace associations. Information about the standards process, including FAQs, is available as well as an online store and contact information. Latest news is available through a monthly newsletter.

European Civil Aviation Conference

The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) is an intergovernmental organisation, which aims to promote the continued development of a safe, efficient and sustainable European air transport system. It seeks to achieve this aim by harmonizing civil aviation policies and practices amongst its Member States; and by promoting understanding on policy matters between its Member States and other parts of the world. The site includes an About ECAC section contains background information such as history; membership; functions and organisation; and relations with other organisations. The site also describes ECAC's work programme and activities including: integration of new member states; civil aviation security; environmental issues; economics, passenger health, and aviation safety, which constitutes a major part of the technical programme. Safety related programmes include SAFA (Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft), SOI (Safety Oversight Issues), JAA-EASA Transition, and The Group of Experts on Accident Investigation (ACC). A newsletter, ECAC News, press releases, details of forthcoming events are available and the site provides online access to a number of ECAC reports and other documents. ECAC also hosts the 'NLA Forum' (New Larger Aircraft) which aims to facilitate information exchange and sharing between States administrations, international organisations, airports, airlines, research organisations and the industry on all issues relating to the accommodation of NLAs at existing airports.

European Commission : Air Transport : Air Security

Part of the European Commission's Air Transport Portal these pages describe the Community's efforts to conceive and implement measures to improve security, mainly to protect citizens against acts of terrorism. site describes the legal context, and provides links to the relevant regulations and studies.

European Commission : Air Transport : Legislation

The site provides access to the text of Commission Decisions, Council Directives and Regulations. These are listed under the following headings, traffic management, airports, international aviation, internal market, safety, security, passenger rights, competition, research and environment. There is a link to Eur-Lex, the Directory of Community legislation and in particular to the Air Transport section of the browse structure of that database.

Evaluation of the Federal Air Marshal Service : OIG-04-32

This report was published by the US Department of Homeland Security of the Office of the Inspector General in August 2004. It examines the impact of the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) which was expanded in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The full report is available in PDF format.

Evaluation of the Transportation Security Administration's Screener Training and Methods of Testing

This provides access to a United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General report OIG-04-045 dated September 2004. This report assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the program or operation under review. It is based on interviews with employees and offi cials of relevant agencies and institutions, direct observations, and a review of applicable documents. [Taken from abstract]. The full report is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Extending the tasks of the European Aviation Safety Agency : An agenda for 2010

This communication (COMM[2005]578 final dated 15 November 2005) from the Commission of the European Communities is available in full-text PDF format. It outlines a new mission for the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) which extends their task to rulemaking and control in the field of air operations, qualifications and licences of pilots, and oversight of third country airline soperatig in the European Union. By 2010 the objective is to have the whole field of aviation safety under the scope of a single organisation, the European Agency.

FAA : Data and Statistics

This is part of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) web site. The site provides access to a number of aviation safety resources including accident and incident data, aviation data and statistics, aviation forecasts, funding and grant data, passenger and cargo information and safety resources.

FAA Aviation Safety Information : Aviation Safety Data Accessibility Study

This is a report on issues related to public interest in aviation safety data. It is dated January 20th, 1997, and was prepared for the Office of System Safety, Federal Aviation Administration. This study examines the issues related to increasing the accessibility of aviation safety data. The issues addressed include identification of safety data resources, format of safety data, analysis and interpretation of safety data, experiences of other Federal agencies with safety data, and public access to safety data. It is available in HTML format.

FAA Office of System Safety - Safety Reports

This is part of the web site of the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of System Safety. The web site provides access to selected current reports and studies. The Weather Study includes all accidents where the NTSB has determined weather to be a causal or contributing factor. The Aviation Safety Data Accessibility Study, examines a range of issues related to increasing the accessibility of aviation safety data. The Aviation Safety Statistical Handbook contains information on national airspace incidents and accidents. System Indicators provides information on the current status and trends in the National Aviation System operations. The data include accident and incident rates and measures of efficiency, inspector activity, compliance and environmental factors. The annual System Indicators report is available for downloading in Microsoft Word 6.0 format. Spreadsheet files(Microsoft Excel ver. 4.0) containing System Indicators data, updated quarterly, are also available.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the element of the U.S. government with primary responsibility for the safety of civil aviation. The FAA was originally designated the Federal Aviation Agency when established by the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. The present name was adopted in 1967 when the FAA became a component of the Department of Transportation. The FAA's major functions include: regulating civil aviation to promote safety and fulfilling the requirements of national defense; encouraging and developing civil aeronautics, including new aviation technology; developing and operating a common system of air traffic control and navigation for both civil and military aircraft; research and development with respect to the National Airspace System and civil aeronautics; developing and implementing programs to control aircraft noise and other environmental effects of civil aviation; and regulating U.S. commercial space transportation. The site provides access to a range of information resources. These are grouped under the following functions: Aviation Support and Regulation and Safety, Security, and System Efficiency. There are links to constituent FAA organizations. The Newsroom contains press releases and fact sheets. There is a section on careers and education opportunities. There is also a 'More' section, which includes information for and about Airline Operators; Airport Operators; Designees and Delegations; General Avaition; and Mechnanics and Repairmen.

Federal Aviation Administration : Airport Safety

The FAA's Airport Safety Programme ensures that airports are operated in a safe and efficient manner. It comprises general aviation airport safety, runway safety, and the certification of air carrier airports under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 139. Part 139 includes requirements and recommendations dealing with wildlife hazards on and around airports; airfield signing, marking, and lighting; aircraft rescue and fire fighting; fueling; snow and ice control; and pedestrian and ground vehicle controland their restoration after attack or a natural disaster. This site brings together a range of information resources covering for example Part 139 Certification, runway safety (including the annual runway safety report), airport wildlife hazard mitigation, as well as relevant advisory circulars and regulations.

Federal Aviation Administration : Global Aviation Information Network (GAIN)

The Global Aviation Information Network (GAIN) promotes and facilitates the voluntary collection and sharing of aviation safety information. This site is produced by the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of System Safety. It provides an overview of GAIN, including an overview of the concept, details of GAIN conferences, reports, papers and articles pertaining to the GAIN Program and related activities. It also provides acees to the full text of the GAIN Operator's Flight Safety Handbook (OFSH) and a link to the official GAIN Program web site.

Federal Aviation Administration : Safety

This site brings together a number of key aviation safety information sources grouped under several headings. These include top Requests like: Administrator�s Fact Book; Aerospace Medicine; Global Aviation Information Network (GAIN); and National Aviation Safety Data and Analysis Center International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA)

Federal Aviation Administration : Suspected Unapproved Parts (SUP) Program

The Program coordinates the Administration's efforts to educate its inspectors and the public regarding the potential safety threat posed by aeronautical parts that do not meet applicable design, manufacturing, and maintenance requirements. The site brings together a number of information resources and provides a Standard Parts overview. The site also links to a number of documents and forms. These include the full text of the following: Advisory Circular (AC) 00-56, Voluntary Industry Distributor Accreditation Program, that describes FAA-acceptable quality systems that may be adopted by civil aircraft parts distributors; FAA Unapproved Parts Notifications (UPN); and Foreign Civil Aviation Authority Unapproved Parts.

Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team

The Mission of the FAA's FAASTeam is to reduce accident rates by conveying safety principles and practices through training, outreach, and education; while establishing partnerships and encouraging the continual growth of a positive safety culture within the aviation community. The site provides acces to a range of resources. The Aviation Learning Center lists a number courses as well as a searchable Online Library, which includes a large number of full text documents. The documents are arranged under a number of browse headings such as Aircraft, Airmen, Airports, Airspace, Airworthiness, Guidance, Standards and Regulations, Human Factors, Reference Materials, and Videos and Interactive Content. The site also provides a link to the Safety Program Airmen Notification System (SPANS), an online event notification facility; to a number of saftey award schemes, safety notices, and FAASteam news stories. Registration for FAASafety.gov is free. Once registered users are able to customize event notification preferences, and receive automatic notification of new events.

Federal Aviation Administration's Flight Plan 2004-2008

This document sets out the objectives of the FAA up to 2008 using four goals - increasing safety and capacity, acting as an international leader in aviation safety and achieving organisational excellence. The document takes each goal in turn and outlines the objectives and initiatives required to achieve these goals. It is available in pdf format.

Federal Research and Technology for Aviation

This web site provides access to a report produced by the U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, OTA-ETI-610, September 1994. This report presents the findings and conclusions of an OTA investigation into the US federal R&D that underpins the Federal Aviation Administration's technology and regulatory development programmes. It focuses on research and technology policy issues for aviation operations: safety, security, environmental protection and the air traffic system. The report is made available as part of the OTA Online Archive. The full text is accessible online in PDF format (5381K). Alternatively, the front matter, table of contents and individual chapters are available as separate PDF files.

Final Report of the National Construction Safety Team on the Collapses of the World Trade Center Towers (Draft)

This report (September 2005) is from the Federal Building and Fire Safety Investigation of the World Trade Center Disaster and is a draft for public comment. It is the final report on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reconstruction of the collapses of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers, the results of an investigation conducted under the National Construction Safety Team Act. This report describes how the aircraft impacts and subsequent fires led to the collapses of the towers; whether the fatalities were low or high, including an evaluation of the building evacuation and emergency response procedures; what procedures and practices were used in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the towers; and areas in current building and fire codes, standards, and practices that warrant revision. Extensive details are to be found in the 42 companion reports. The final report on the collapse of WTC 7 appears in a separate report.

Fixing Airport Security : 21st-Century Strategies for 21st-Century Threats

This provides access to a Reason Public Policy Institute (RPPI) publication, by Robert W. Poole and Viggo Butler, RPPI Rapid Response No. 106, dated September 21st 2001. The authors make the case for changes in airport management in the U.S. in order to achieve security levels that are comparable to European airports. The text is available in HTML format.

Flight and Cabin Crew Member Security Training Strengthened, but Better Planning and Internal Controls Needed

This technical report (GAO-05-781) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in September 2005. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, TSA enhanced guidance and standards for flight and cabin crew member security training with input from stakeholders. Specifically, TSA revised the guidance and standards to include additional training elements required by law and to improve the organization and clarity of the guidance and standards. Some stakeholders we interviewed and our own review generally found that the revised guidance and standards improved upon previous versions in terms of organization and clarity of the information provided. However, some stakeholders identified concerns about, for example, the reasonableness of applying parts of the guidance and standards to both flight and cabin crew members and the difficulty in implementing some of the standards without additional information or training tools from TSA. Additionally, TSA has not established strategic goals and performance measures for assessing the effectiveness of the training because it considers its role in the training program as regulatory. In this regard, TSA views the individual air carriers as responsible for establishing performance goals and measures for their training programs, but has not required them to do so. Without goals and measures, TSA and air carriers will be limited in their ability to fully assess accomplishments and target associated improvements. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Flight Safety Digest

This journal was superseded by AeroSafety World in 2006. However, back issues are still available from this site in PDF format. Each issue is devoted to one specific subject within the field of aviation safety. Back issues are available from 1988 and onwards.

Flight Safety Foundation (FSF)

The Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) is an independent organisation concerned with aviation safety. This large Web site provides background information, information on forthcoming events, access to its library, news, press releases and details of its publications. Some full text information is also available.

Flightglobal.com

This is the website of Flight International, Airline Business, ACAS, Air Transport Intelligence (ATI) and The Flight Collection. It provides jobs, blogs, and primarily industry news. It is a large site and much of the content is to be found behind the browse links on the left of the page. These links are: aircraft, air transport, airlines, defence, safety, UAVs, helicopters, business and GA, maintenance, and spaceflight. The site contains the content of the current issues of Flight International and Airline Business as soon as it is published along with searchable archives going back to 1996 which are accessible to all. It also covers worldwide major air shows (Paris, Dubai, Asian Aerospace, and Farnborough) and produces daily newspapers during these events. There are three versions of the site - global, professional and expert.

Foreseeable Risk Analysis Center

The Foreseeable Risk Analysis Center (FARC) is a US organisation founded in 1991 to provide the public with information on traveller safety and security. The site deals with these issues in several areas, most notably airline security.

Guardian Unlimited Special Report : Attack on America

This site from the electronic version of the Guardian newspaper provides an overview of the events of September 11th 2001, and links to a range of resources and comment. These include interactive guides, photo galleries, information about the victims, reports from foreign correspondents, comment and analysis and travel information.

Homeland Security : Air Passenger Prescreening and Counterterrorism

This is the full text of CRS report for Congress order code RL32802 written by Bart Elias, William Krouse and Ed Rappaport. The adequacy of existing systems to screen air passengers against terrorist watch lists has been questioned, most notably by the 9/11 Commission. In October 2004, TSA unveiled the Secure Flight test programme — the next generation domestic air passenger prescreening system. Secure Flight consists of four elements: (1) a streamlined rule for more intensive screening; (2) an identity authentication process; (3) a passenger name check against the consolidated terrorist screening database (TSDB); and (4) an appeals process for passengers who may have been misidentified.

Homeland Security : Defending U.S. Airspace

This is a Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report for Congress RS21394, prepared by Christopher Bolkcom, October 13th 2004. The 9/11 Commission Report recommends that Congress regularly assess the ability of Northern Command to defend the nation against threats. Protecting U.S. airspace may require improvements in detecting aircraft and cruise missiles, making quick operational decisions, and intercepting them. To this end, the report discusses a variety of issues that must be weighed, including expediency, cost, and minimizing conflicts with civilian aviation. The text of the report is available in PDF format.

Homeland Security : Protecting Airliners from Terrorist Missiles

This is a U.S. Congressioanl Research Service (CRS) Report No.RL31741 prepared by Christofer Bolkcom and dated February 2006. Recent events have focused attention on the threat that terrorists with shoulder fired surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) pose to commercial airliners. Most believe that no single solution exists to effectively mitigate this threat. Instead, a menu of options may be considered, including installing infrared (IR) countermeasures on aircraft; modifying flight operations and air traffic control procedures; improving airport and regional security; and strengthening missile non-proliferation efforts. Equipping aircraft with missile countermeasure systems can protect the aircraft even when operating in areas where ground-based security measures are unavailable or infeasible to implement. However, this option has a relatively high cost, between $1 million and $3 million per aircraft, and the time needed for implementation does not allow for immediate response to the existing terrorist threat. Procedural improvements such as specific flight crew training, altering air traffic procedures to minimize exposure to the threat, and improved security near airports may be less costly than countermeasures and could more immediately help deter domestic terrorist attacks. However, these techniques by themselves cannot completely mitigate the risk of domestic attacks and would not protect U.S. airliners flying to and from foreign airports. Legislation introduced in the 108th Congress (H.R. 580,S. 311) calls for the installation of missile defense systems in all turbojet aircraft used in scheduled air carrier service. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations for Fiscal Year 2004 (P.L. 108-90) designated $60 million dollars for development and testing of a prototype missile countermeasure system for commercial aircraft. DHS anticipates a two year program totaling about $100 million to develop, test, and certify a suitable system. This report will be updated as needed. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Honeywell

Honeywell is a leader in control technology. The company has five main divisions: Aerospace - supplier of engines, systems, avionics and services for commercial and business aviation, military aircraft and spacecraft; Automation and Control solutions for industry and houses; Airport and Aircraft Security and Safety; Transportation and Power Systems - leading provider of automotive turbochargers; and Speciality Materials. The site provides company information, news and press releases, careers information and a section on investor relations which includes the annual report.

How Much Is Enough? Sizing the Deployment of Baggage Screening Equipment by Considering the Economic Cost of Passenger Delays

This technical report (DB-412-RC) was published by The RAND Corporation in 2004 and was written by Russell Shaver, Michael Kennedy, Chad Shirley and Paul Dreyer. In the wake of September 11, 2001, the Transportation Security Agency was given the responsibility for ensuring that all baggage flying on U.S. aircraft would be screened. Left undefined was how much equipment should be deployed to scan all baggage thoroughly while not unnecessarily inconveniencing the public. This documented briefing seeks to answer the question, “how much is enough?” by minimizing costs to the public for different Electronic Detection System deployment sizes. The authors also discuss the pros and cons of profiling and how it might reduce these costs. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file, so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Implementing Security Improvement Options at Los Angeles International Airport

This documented briefing (DB-499-1-LAWA) was published by the RAND Corporation in 206 and was written by Donald Stevens ...[et al]. Despite the high level of security at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), there are good reasons to believe that LAX is viewed by some terrorist organizations as an attractive target. The RAND Corporation was commissioned by Los Angeles World Airports to conduct a series of studies on options for protecting LAX from terrorism. This documented briefing reviews the recommendations in an earlier RAND study (Donald Stevens, Terry Schell, Thomas Hamilton, Richard Mesic, Michael Scott Brown, Edward Wei-Min Chan, Mel Eisman, Eric V. Larson, Marvin Schaffer, Bruce Newsome, John Gibson, Elwyn Harris, Near-Term Options for Improving Security at Los Angeles International Airport, Santa Monica, Calif.: RAND Corporation, DB-468-1-LAWA, 2004), develops an LAX security implementation plan based on the 2004 recommendations, and evaluates installation of security film on windows facing LAX’s public roadway. The authors reassert the need for reducing the density of people in unsecured areas (areas in which baggage has not been inspected or areas near uninspected vehicles) and adding permanent vehicle security checkpoints with bomb-detection capabilities. Furthermore, they reasserted that adding security film to the tempered windows at LAX is not cost-effective or likely to reduce fatalities in the event of a bomb detonation. [Taken from abstract]. This is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

International Aviation : Federal Efforts Help Address Safety Challenges in Africa, but Could Benefit from Reassessment and Better Coordination

This provides access to a US General Office of Accountability report GAO-09-498 dated June 2009. The African continent is important to U.S. economic, strategic, and foreign policy interests, and efforts have been made to improve commerce and connectivity to benefit the two regions. However, the continent has the highest aviation accident rate in the world, which has hindered progress. Recognizing the importance of improving aviation safety in Africa, the United States and the international aviation community have worked to improve aviation safety in Africa. This congressionally requested report discusses (1) challenges in improving aviation safety in Africa, (2) key U.S. efforts to improve aviation safety in Africa and the extent to which they address the identified challenges, and (3) international efforts to improve aviation safety in Africa. To address these issues, GAO synthesized literature and aviation safety data, interviewed federal officials, and visited four African countries. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

International Aviation Safety Association

The International Aviation Safety Association (IASA) was officially founded in New York on 04 Mar 99 but had been operating informally as a loose association of aviation safety proponents since the Swissair Flight 111 MD11 accident in September 1998. The site is intended to highlight and publicise global air safety issues. It provides access to a large collection of information resources including commentaries, articles and other full text documents (pdf format) covering a wide range of flight safety topics and regulations. It includes a "target" list of air safety issues, notably aircraft wiring, and offers a resource guide to aircraft wiring arcing fires. A section of the site is concerned with cabin safety issues. The site also contains video clips, news items, press releases, newsletter (PDF format), as well as links to Air Safety Week Magazine, and a large collection of links to other avaion safety related internet sites.

Interstate Travel : Constitutional Challenges to the Identification Requirement and Other Transportation Security Regulations

This is a Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report for Congress RL32664, prepared by Todd B. Tatelman, December 21, 2004. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 new federal statutes and agency regulations have been implemented, each with the purpose of ensuring the safety and security of passengers, facilities, and transport system workers in the United States. Not all of these security measures, however, have been publically disclosed. This report examines the legal basis for the transportation security measures, including the sensitive security information (SSI) regulations, and analyses the constitutional provisions under which these measures are currently being challenged. This report will be updated as events require. The text of the report is available in PDF format.

Intrusion Detection for Public Transportation Facilities Handbook

This is a United States Transportation Research Board (TRB), Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)Report 86, Public Transportation Security Series Volume 4, prepared by Shahed Rowshan and Richard J. Simonetta, published 2003. This report is designed to address transit agencies' needs for evaluating and upgrading the intrusion detection systems applicable to the spectrum of their facilities (including tunnels, bridges, buildings, power stations, transfer stations, rail yards, bus yards, and parking lots) and their transit vehicles (such as buses, trains, support vehicles, and special purpose vehicles). The Handbook provides guidance on assessing system needs; developing system designs; and estimating system costs, benefits, and risks. The text is available in PDF format.

K9 Units in Public Transportation : A Guide for Decision Makers

This is a United States Transportation Research Board (TRB), Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 86, Public Transportation Security Series Volume 2, prepared by John N. Balog and others, published 2002. The use of canine (K9) teams to support patrol, narcotics, and explosives-detection activities is routine in major metropolitan areas. Heightened awareness of threats from explosives has led to active consideration of the use of dogs as a strategy for coping with threats against public transportation systems. This report offers information on a variety of approaches to fielding K9 programmes. This information is based largely on extensive interviews with nine public transportation agencies that currently deploy K9s and four agencies that disbanded their K9 programmes in the last 5 years. Current K9 deployment practices, issues to beaddressed in proposing the establishment of a K9 programme, implementation issues, and specific information on explosives detection are discussed. This volume was prepared by McCormick, Taylor & Associates, Inc. The text is available in PDF format

Landings: Reports and Alerts

This resource is provided by the Landings aviation directory services. It contains links to a wide variety of reports and alerts, from sources such as the FAA (Service Difficulty Reports (SDRs), Airworthiness Directives, Airworthiness Alerts, aviation safety databases, continued airworthiness information); NTSB (Accident Briefs, Aviation Accident Synopses, Accident Abstracts) and NASA (ASRS Program, ASRS Callback Program ); UK Air Accident reports (AAIB); Bureau of Air Safety Investigation - Australia (BASI), Transportation Safety Board of Canada Aviation Occurrence Reports, and many others. For many of these resources, Landings has developed its own search interfaces.

Long Term Implementation of a 100 Percent Baggage Screening System: A Value Focused Thinking Approach

This is the full text of a thesis by Quincy Meade which was presented to the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in 2003. The terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, carried out via aircraft hijackings, clearly demonstrated the massive destruction potential when vulnerabilities in the aviation system are exploited. Airport security measures have since been strengthened and new measures have been set in place. With the passage of the Aviation Transportation and Security Act (ATSA) of 2001 the checked baggage systems at U.S. Airports are now required to screen all checked bags with explosive detection devices. This is a significant increase from the small percentage of bags that were previously screened. The original 2009 deadline was changed to 31 December 2002 and this change forced airports to implement interim screening systems. These systems can impact the efficient processing of passengers and baggage. A long term solution is needed for a 100 percent checked baggage system that provides the required security while minimizing negative impacts to aviation stakeholders including the airport operators, airlines, passengers, and the Transportation Security Administration. This thesis, focusing on the Dayton International Airport, uses a Value Focused Thinking methodology to build a value model for evaluating potential long term solutions for 100 percent checked baggage system alternatives. [Taken from abstract]. The full text of the thesis is available in PDF formate and is provided by the Air University ResearchWeb site.

Managing Disruptive Passengers : A Survey of the World's Airlines

This provides access to the text of a London Guildhall University, Department of Psychology paper by Robert Bor, Morris Russell, Justin Parker, and Linda Papadopoulos, dated 2000. The paper addresses a number of issues related to air rage, and presents the results of a 1999 survey of 206 airlines. The objectives of the survey were to find out whether incidents are reported, crew are trained and have guidelines to deal with disruptive passengers, and the extent to which there are shared views about the possible causes of air rage. The text of the paper is available from the Skyrage Foundation's web site in PDF format.

Modeling Homeland Security: A Value Focused Thinking Approach

This is the full text of a thesis by Kristopher Adam Pruitt which was presented to the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in 2003. The events of September 11, 2001 have propelled the topic of homeland security to the forefront of national concern. The threat of terrorism within the United States has reached an unprecedented level. The pervasive vulnerabilities of the nation’s critical infrastructure coupled with the destructive capabilities and deadly intentions of modern terrorists pose extraordinary risks. The United States must mitigate these risks while at the same time balancing the associated costs and impact on civil liberties. Currently, the United States lacks effective methods and measures for assessing the security of the homeland from acts of terrorism. This study outlines a first cut decision analysis methodology for identifying and structuring key homeland security objectives and facilitating the measurement of the United States’ capability to execute these objectives. [Taken from abstract]. The full text of the thesis is available in PDF format and is provided by the Air University ResearchWeb site.

National Air Disaster Alliance/Foundation

NADA/F is a non-profit organisation which aims to raise the standard of aviation safety, security and survivability for passengers and to support survivors and victims' families. The site contains background information including mission statement, goals, history and accomplishments. There are headlines, as well as a news section, a calendar of events, book details, and features on safety, legislation, and photos. There is also an electronic discussion group.

National Avaition Security, Policy, Strategy and Mode-Specific Plans : Background and Considerations for Congress

This gives access to a United States Congressional Research Service (CRS) report written by Bart Elias and dated February 2009. Under the framework for national aviation security policy established by the President in 2006, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has developed a publicly available national strategy for aviation security that addresses threats to aviation using a risk-based methodology to complement the overarching National Infrastructure Protection Plan. The strategy seeks to deter and prevent terrorist attacks against aviation, mitigate damage and expedite recovery, and minimize the impact of an attack to the aviation system. The strategy seeks to achieve these objectives by engaging domestic and international partners and carrying out specific actions set forth in a series of supporting plans for operational security, surveillance and intelligence, threat response, system recovery, and coordination. This report discusses the status of these plans and to what extent they address needs, reflect the requirements of law, and align with budget priorities and resource availability. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

National Aviation Security Policy, Strategy and Mode-Specific Plans : Background and Considerations for Congress

This is a Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report RL34302 prepared by Bart Elias dated January 2008. In the years leading up to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States lacked a comprehensive national policy and strategy for aviation security. The approach to aviation security was largely shaped by past events, such as the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 in December 1988, rather than a comprehensive evaluation of the full range of security risks. The 9/11 Commission concluded that the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 revealed failures of imagination, policy, capabilities, and management by both the FAA and the U.S. intelligence community. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, U.S. aviation security policy and strategy was closely linked to the changes called for in the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA, P.L. 107-71), which emphasized sweeping changes to the security of passenger airline operations. While the importance of strategic planning was recognized, it was not a priority. The 9/11 Commission Report concluded that the TSA had failed to develop an integrated strategy for the transportation sector and mode specific plans, prompting Congress to mandate the development of these strategies and plans in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-458). While the TSA has developed these strategies and plans, the documents have been considered security sensitive thus limiting public discourse on the DHS strategy for aviation security. However, in June 2006 President Bush directed the DHS to establish and implement a national strategy for aviation security and an accompanying set of supporting plans. Under the framework for national aviation security policy established by the President, the DHS has developed a publicly-available national strategy for aviation security that addresses threats to aviation using a risk-based methodology to complement the overarching National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) and seeks to deter and prevent terrorist attacks against aviation, mitigate damage and expedite recovery and minimize the impact of an attack to the aviation system. The strategy seeks to achieve these objectives by engaging domestic and international partners and carrying out specific actions set forth in a series of supporting plans for operational security, surveillance and intelligence, threat response, system recovery, and coordination. Congress may have a specific interest in assessing whether these plans are comprehensive, adaptable, sustainable, and adequately coordinated with budgetary decisions and resource allocation. Specific issues for Congress may include the validity of the strategy’s underlying risk assumptions; the extent to which 9/11 Commission recommendations and statutory requirements are reflected in the strategy; consideration of sustainability of and advancement of security technologies to meet future needs and system demands; whether the strategy is sufficiently forward-looking and not reactive in its approach; the extent to which the strategy provides a comprehensive framework for a robust aviation security system; and the degree to which strategic objectives and approaches align with budget priorities and resource availability. This report will not be updated. [Taken from abstract]. The full text of the report is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

National Research and Development Plan For Aviation Safety, Security, Efficiency, and Environmental Compatibility

This web site provides access to a US National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) transportation strategic plan titled: National Research and Development Plan For Aviation Safety, Security, Efficiency, and Environmental Compatibility, produced by the National Science and Technology Council, Committee on Technology, Subcommittee on Transportation Research and Development, November 1999. The plan is intended to act as a benchmark for future inter-agency collaborative efforts to optimise essential US government research toward the attainment of critical aviation and air transportation goals established by the Federal government and supported by industry. The full text of the plan is available in PDF format.

National Strategy and Other Actions Would Strengthen TSA's Efforts to Secure Commercial Airport Perimeters and Access Controls

This provides access to a United States General Accountability Office, Aviation Safety technical report GAO-09-399 dated September 2009. Incidents of airport workers using access privileges to smuggle weapons through secured airport areas and onto planes have heightened concerns regarding commercial airport security. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), along with airports, is responsible for security at TSA-regulated airports. To guide risk assessment and protection of critical infrastructure, including airports, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) developed the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP). GAO was asked to examine the extent to which, for airport perimeters and access controls, TSA (1) assessed risk consistent with the NIPP; (2) implemented protective programs, and evaluated its worker screening pilots; and (3) established a strategy to guide decision making. GAO examined TSA documents related to risk assessment activities, airport security programs, and worker screening pilots; visited nine airports of varying size; and interviewed TSA, airport, and association officials. Although TSA has implemented activities to assess risks to airport perimeters and access controls, such as a commercial aviation threat assessment, it has not conducted vulnerability assessments for 87 percent of the nation's approximately 450 commercial airports or any consequence assessments. As a result, TSA has not completed a comprehensive risk assessment combining threat, vulnerability, and consequence assessments as required by the NIPP. While TSA officials said they intend to conduct a consequence assessment and additional vulnerability assessments, TSA could not provide further details, such as milestones for their completion. Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment and establishing milestones for its completion would provide additional assurance that intended actions will be implemented, provide critical information to enhance TSA's understanding of risks to airports, and help ensure resources are allocated to the highest security priorities. Since 2004, TSA has taken steps to strengthen airport security and implement new programs; however, while TSA conducted a pilot program to test worker screening methods, clear conclusions could not be drawn because of significant design limitations and TSA did not document key aspects of the pilot. TSA has taken steps to enhance airport security by, among other things, expanding its requirements for conducting worker background checks and implementing a worker screening program. In fiscal year 2008 TSA pilot tested various methods to screen airport workers to compare the benefits, costs, and impacts of 100 percent worker screening and random worker screening. TSA designed and implemented the pilot in coordination with the Homeland Security Institute (HSI), a federally funded research and development center. However, because of significant limitations in the design and evaluation of the pilot, such as the limited number of participating airports--7 out of about 450--it is unclear which method is more cost-effective. TSA and HSI also did not document key aspects of the pilot's design, methodology, and evaluation, such as a data analysis plan, limiting the usefulness of these efforts. A well-developed and well-documented evaluation plan can help ensure that pilots generate needed performance information to make effective decisions. While TSA has completed these pilots, developing an evaluation plan for future pilots could help ensure that they are designed and implemented to provide management and Congress with necessary information for decision making. TSA's efforts to enhance the security of the nation's airports have not been guided by a unifying national strategy that identifies key elements, such as goals, priorities, performance measures, and required resources. For example, while TSA's various airport security efforts are implemented by federal and local airport officials, TSA officials said that they have not identified or estimated costs to airport operators for implementing security requirements. GAO has found that national strategies that identify these key elements strengthen decision making and accountability; in addition, developing a strategy with these elements could help ensure that TSA prioritizes its activities and uses resources efficiently to achieve intended outcomes. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Aviation Accident/Incident Database

The NTSB is an independent Federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil accident in the United States and significant accident in the other modes of transportation -- railroad,highway, marine and pipeline.NTSB accident/incident database is the official repository of aviation accident data and causal factors. In the database, an event is classified as an accident or an incident. "Aircraft accident" means an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight and until all such persons have disembarked, and in which any person suffers death or serious injury, or in which the aircraft receives substantial damage. The NTSB defines "incident" as an occurrence other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft, which affects or could affect the safety of operations. The NTSB database contains only selected incident reports. The database is updated monthly.

Near-Term Options for Improving Security at Los Angeles International Airport

This technical report (DB-468-1-LAWA) was published by The RAND Corporation in 2002 and was written by Donald Stevens, Terry Schell, Tom Hamilton, Richard Mesic, Michael Scott Brown, Edward Wei-Min Chan, Mel Eisman, Eric V. Larson, Marvin Schaffer, Bruce Newsome, John Gibson and Elwyn Harris. This study examines near-term options for reducing the terrorist threat to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The key to implementing a successful strategy of deterrence is to understand and reduce LAX’s vulnerabilities. The authors analyze a wide range of possible terrorist actions and assess LAX’s level of vulnerability. They then examine possible alternative courses of action LAX can take to reduce these vulnerabilities. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file, so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

New Zealand Aviation Security Service

This service is involved in several activities, such as the screening of international departing passengers and their baggage for dangerous items, access controls and searching international aircraft for security purposes. The site provides information about its role and history, structure and legislation, goals and performance, external relations, airport security news and links to related sites and frequently asked questions (FAQ).

Next Generation Air Transportation System : Joint Planning and Development Office

The US authorities have concluded that today's air transportation system cannot meet the demands of the 21st century. The Vision 100 - Century of Aviation Authorization Act became law and calls for an integrated, multi-agency plan to transform the US's air transportation system to meet the needs of the year 2025 while providing substantial near-term benefits. This Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS) Initiative will address critical safety and economic needs in civil aviation while fully integrating US defence and homeland security improvements into this future system. The site is a reference point for progress made by providing current news of projects being undertaken and describes the integrated project teams which are taking the 8 identified strategies further forward.

Office of Security and Hazardous Materials

This US FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) site on security aims to promote aviation safety in support of national security and the national aerospace system. There is information for passengers and air carriers on hazardous materials and prohibited items. The Office of Security and Hazardous Materials are responsible for ensuring the integrity of those individuals who work in or support the NAS (National Aerospace System) and protecting FAA employees and facilities from criminal and terrorist acts. The Office of Security and Hazardous Materials continue to have a direct aviation safety mission due which is to enforce hazardous materials regulations. There are three major program areas, which are Internal Security, Investigations, and Hazardous Materials.

Operation Enduring Freedom and the Conflict in Afghanistan : An Update

This paper follows on from the House of Commons Research Paper, 11 September 2001 : The Response, and is available in pdf format. The paper provides an examination of the military objectives and campaigns of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. It examines the situation in Afghanistan, looking at developments on the ground and future political options for Afghanistan and the humanitarian situtation. It also illustrates international views and developments in America and Britain.

Organising for Flight Safety

This web site provides access to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)Research and Analysis Report B2004/0240/1 written by R, Dannatt, V. Marshall and M. Wood dated March 2006. Many factors contribute to an airline’s safety record, some external to the organisation and others internal. An important internal contribution comes from the manner in which the company’s flight operations are managed. This study addresses the organisational factors impinging on an airline’s safety outcome that are subject to influence by managers in their flight operations divisions. Particular attention is given to evidence of the concept known as ‘institutional resilience’. Twelve major airlines in Australasia and South East Asia participated in the study. The study used a mixed method approach, incorporating both qualitative data (interviews) and quantitative data (audit). The qualitative approach used in-depth interviews, conducted with 36 senior managers in the twelve airlines. The quantitative approach comprised a self-reported audit of organisational management arrangements within each airline. The audit was conducted by means of a questionnaire sent to one senior manager in each airline. Eleven questionnaires were returned. This report deals with the analysis of results from the audit. The scope of the audit was determined by both the framework adopted for the study and by information gained during the preceding 36 interviews. The framework of analysis has six-parts: human factors, culture, safety management systems, benchmarking, and theory of high reliability and institutional resilience. The results show both significant similarities and important differences between the airlines. Attention is given to differences between domestic and overseas airlines. The similar outcomes are useful as a normative guideline on the way airlines should address their management of safety. The differences provide a guide to further development by both airlines and researchers. The findings are discussed in detail at Section 5 of this report. The study identifies three areas suitable for further research. The first relates to further development of reactive and proactive measures that can indicate the state of an airlines’ ‘safety health’. When used in an appropriate combination, such measures should indicate changes in intrinsic safety levels and facilitate the prioritisation of remedial action. The next area builds on the first by investigating the development of a checklist, similar to the Checklist for Assessing Institutional Resilience (CAIR). A suitable checklist must appeal to the airlines in terms of its practical application. The third area is development of a process to improve the reporting rate of flight crew error. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format and is provided by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau web site.

Passengers' Experience of Air Travel

This is the full text of Volume 1 of a House of Commons Transport Committee report and minutes, published in July 2007. An increase in passenger complaints prompted this examination of passengers' experiences of air travel, from buying tickets to the final destination. Evidence was taken from consumer groups, travel agents, some airlines, airports and ground transportation providers. It makes several recommendations, including making 'hidden' charges on online bookings more transparent and suggesting that the needs of disabled passengers are considered as they are often unable to book online. In addition, the report suggests that public access to airports must be an integral part of airport development and questions BAA's monopoly. In terms of security, it is recommended that moving passengers more quickly to airside will reduce security threats and that the Government do more to help airports. The report suggests that more robust systems are put in place to prevent lost luggage, and to speed the return of lost items.

Passengers’ Experiences of Air Travel: Government Response to the Committee’s Eighth Report of Session 2006–07 : Twelfth Special Report of Session 2006–07

The House of Commons Transport Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Department for Transport and its associated public bodies. The Committee published its Eighth Report of Session 2006–07 on 26 July. The response from the Department for Transport was received in the form of a memorandum dated 8 October 2007 and is published as Appendix 1 to this report. Transport for London and the Civil Aviation Authority also submitted responses which have been incorporated into this report. Transport for London’s response was received in the form of a memorandum dated 1 October 2007 and is published as Appendix 2. The Civil Aviation Authority’s response was received in the form of a memorandum dated 8 October 2007 and is published as Appendix 3. Issues covered include ticketing policies, travel to airports, airports, security, baggage, airlines, complaints and compensation, passengers requiring assistance, Transport for Londons park and ride policy, and taxis. The full report is available in PDF format.

Patterns of Global Terrorism

This report is published annually by the US Department of State. Its purpose is to update Congress on the activities of terrorists worldwide in the previous year. The report is available in full text from 1995 to the current year (2000). It includes overviews of terrorist activities in Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. The issue of state sponsored terrorism is analysed, and a chronology of sigificant incidents is available. The report is available in HTML format.

Plane Clothes : Lack of Anonymity at the Federal Air Marshal Service Compromises Aviation and National Security

This is an investigative report, published in 2006, looking at the problems of the rapid expansion of the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) since 11 September 2001 and how this has impacted on the service. It traces the history of FMAS, outlines the key problems and provides recommendations.

PlaneCrashInfo

This site is a personal interest site maintained by Richard Kebabjian. It contains a lot of information relating to aircraft accidents around the world. The site includes a searchable database of aircraft accidents, details about the 100 worst accidents of all time, photographs, transcripts of cockpit voice recordings with some sound (requiring RealPlayer), statistics, safety ratings by airline, accidents by aircraft type and by airline, and links to other relevant sites.

Police Air Operations Manual : Part 1

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) document, Civil Aviation Paper CAP 612, version 2, published in April 2004. The Air Navigation Order requires that each holder of a Police Air Operator’s Certificate (PAOC) provides in a Police Air Operations manual all the information and instructions that may be necessary to enable his operating staff to perform their duties. The text of CAP 612 is available in PDF format (1 mb), from the CAA's web site.

Police Air Operations Manual : Part 2

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) document, Civil Aviation Paper CAP 613, published in April 2005. It gives guidance to an applicant for a Police Air Operator’s Certificate (PAOC) on how to compile for him/herself the PAOM Part 2, which contains the information and instructions appropriate to the discrete operations of an individual unit. CAP 613 is the companion volume to CAP 612. The full text of CAP 613 is available in PDF format (6.4 mb), from this site.

Preparing for the War on Terrorism

This is the full text of a statement by Bruce Hoffman, who is Vice President of the Office of External Affairs and Director of the RAND Washington Office. The statement was made following the World Trade Center attacks and calls for regular foreign and domestic terrorism threat assessments, intelligence reform and reorganization and improved aviation security. The statement is in PDF format.

Professional Pilots Rumour Network

This service is aimed at pilots, those who are thinking of a career as a pilot, as well as cabin crew, air traffic controllers, operations, crewing and rostering staff. The main focus of the site are the forums which are divided into several major topic areas including flight deck, aircrew, airline specific, ground operations and regional issues. It is necessary to register (free of charge) to post a message, although the forums can be browsed without registration. The site also contains information and advice to those who are job seeking, information on safety at selected airports, weather and a guestbook.

Project Plan for the Evaluation of X-ray Threat Detection of Explosives at Different Subcertification Weights

This provides access to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report, DOT/FAA/AR-01/81, by Brenda A. Klock, dated April 2001. This plan outlines the field evaluation for threat detection in X-ray images of bags containing explosives at full and subcertification weights. The full text of the report is available in PDF format, from the online catalogue of the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Library.

Proposed Equivalent Safety Finding on Improved flammability standards for thermal/acoustic insulation materials used in Large Aeroplanes

This is a link to an EASA certification consulation document about thermal and acoustic insulation and suggests amendments in the certification related to the aircraft compartment interiors, cargo or baggage compartments and insulation materials. The document also consists of an appendix which gives a detailed description of testing the flammability and flame propagation characteristics of thermal/acoustic insulation materials.

Protecting Commercial Aviation Against the Shoulder-Fired Missile Threat

This technical report (OP-106-RC) was published by The RAND Corporation in 2005 and was written by James S. Chow, James Chiesa, Paul Dreyer, Mel Eisman, Theodore W. Karasik, Joel Kvitky, Sherrill Lingel, David Ochmanek and Chad Shirley. Examines the capabilities and costs of onboard technologies to divert missiles attacking commercial airliners. Given the significant uncertainties in the cost and effectiveness of countermeasures, a decision to install them should be postponed, and concurrent development efforts to reduce these uncertainties should proceed as rapidly as possible. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file, so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Protection of Air Crew from Cosmic Radiation : Guidance Material

This guidance material is provided by the UK Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. It was drawn up as a response to EU Directive 96/29 which was implemented in 13 May 1996. It addresses the issue of cosmic radiation, considering topics such as harmful effects, dosages, occupational exposure by air crew, high flying aircraft, pregnant women, means of compliance and monitoring compliance. The text can be viewed in HTML format and is available for downloading.

Re-thinking Terrorism in the Light of a War on Terrorism

This is the text of testimony supplied by Bruce Hoffman, Vice President of External Affairs, and Director, RAND Washington, to the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, US House of Representatives, on 26th September 2001. The statement calls for a clear strategy, regular foreign and domestic terrorist threat assessments, and intelligence reform and organisation. The statement is available in PDF format.

Reason Foundation

A US nonprofit research organization that aims to promote innovative approaches to public policy, Reason carries out research on a variety of issues airports, aviation security and air traffic management. The site provides a range of information sources. The Press Room contains news releases, an expertise list, and events calendar. A range of publications are available including the monthly magazine, Reason, Aviation Security Newsletter, and the Air Traffic Control Reform Newsletter. The Reason Policy Studies series of reports are arranged by subject including Air Traffic Control / Airports, and Airport Security.

Regional Airlines Safety Study Project Report

This web site provides access to an Australian Bureau of Air Safety Investigation (BASI) document titled: Regional Airlines Safety Study Project Report, Department of Transport and Regional Services, Bureau of Air Safety Investigation, May 1999. The report presents the results of a survey of safety in the regional airline industry. The study examined all areas of regional airlines operations, including cabin safety, flight operations, maintenance, airspace management, regulations and surveillance. The objectives of the study were to identify safety deficiencies affecting regional airline operations in Australia, and to indentify measures to reduce the adverse impact of these deficiencies on safety. A synopsis of the report is presented in HTML format, and the full text is available online in PDF format (635 kb).

Regulation (EC) No 1592/2002 : establishing a European Aviation Safety Agency (15 July 2002)

Full text of Regulation (EC) No 1592/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 July 2002 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Aviation Safety Agency. Official Journal L 240 , 07/09/2002 P. 0001 - 0021

Report of the Secure Flight Working Group

Secure Flight is a US Transportation and Security Administration Programme which in the broadest sense, is intended to make air travel safer by either preventing persons who pose a risk to airline safety from boarding airplanes, or subjecting them to an increased physical search designed to detect devices that could harm the plane or its passengers before they board. This report was prepared by the Ponemon Institute on behalf of the TSA and was presented on September 19th 2005. It represents the collective effort and work of a nine-member advisory committee, termed the Secure Flight Working Group (SFWG), a body of experts in privacy and security appointed by the TSA. This report offers the SFWG’s conclusions about the Secure Flight passenger screening system. It also makes certain recommendations for the further development of Secure Flight on the following topics: Architecture; Identity Matching; Policy, Regulatory and Oversight Structure; Watch Lists; Test Phase—Commercial data; Passenger Screening; Passenger Name Record; Push vs. Pull Models for Passenger Data; and Data Retention Issues. The full text of the report (PDF format)has been made available on the web site of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), a public interest research center based in Washington, D.C.

Report on Air Safety and Security

This provides access to the text of a Canadian Parliament report prepared by the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications' Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, dated June 2000. The report starts by highlighting the culture of air safety and the role of the Transportation Safety Board. It considers specific issues affecting airline travel as well as airport safety and security. The report reviews Canada's regulatory system and international obligations for air safety. It concludes with an examination of safety issues which are likely to become increasingly important over the next ten to fifteen years. The text is available in HTML format.

Responses of Federal Agencies and Airports We Surveyed About Access Security Improvements

This technical report (GAO-01-1069R) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in August 2001. To address concerns about the use of stolen or counterfeit law enforcement badges or credentials to gain access to secure government buildings and airports, GAO conducted an undercover operation to gain entry into 19 federal sites and two commercial airports in the Washington, D.C., area and in Orlando, Florida. GAO also surveyed 23 other major federal agencies about any security improvements that they may have implemented as a result of the investigation. All 43 agencies and airports queried responded to GAO's survey, and many said that they had either started or completed a security assessment of existing security policies and procedures. GAO has not verified whether the reported specific security enhancements have actually been implemented. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file, so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Rethinking Checked-Baggage Screening

This provides access to a Reason Public Policy Institute report by Viggo Butler and Robert Poole, Policy Study 297, dated 2002. The report claims that the US Transportation Security Administration will be unable to meet the December 31 deadline for screening all checked baggage for explosives and will vastly exceed its latest increased baggage estimates. The study recommends investing in newer, more effective baggage screening technologies not yet approved in the US, and also includes a proposal to make high-risk passengers, not baggage the focus of airport security. The text is available in PDF format.

Review of the TSA Passenger and Baggage Screening Pilot Program

This report was prepared by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, OIG-04-47, September 2004. This report discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the United States Transportation Security Administration's Passenger and Baggage Screening Pilot Program, which began at five U.S. airports on November 19, 2002 and employed nonfederal workers. The text of the report is available in PDF format.

Review of Web Applications Security and Intrusion Detection in Air Traffic Control Systems

An audit produced by the Office of Inspector General, US Department of Transport in May 2009, Project ID: FI-2009-049. The objectives of this performance audit were to determine whether (1) web applications used in supporting ATC operations were properly secured to prevent unauthorized access to ATC systems, and (2) FAA’s network intrusion–detection capability was effective in monitoring ATC cyber–security incidents. It found that web applications used in supporting ATC systems operations were not properly secured to prevent attacks or unauthorized access. During the audit, staff gained unauthorized access to information stored on web application computers and an ATC system, and confirmed system vulnerability to malicious code attacks. In addition, FAA had not established adequate intrusion–detection capability to monitor and detect potential cyber security incidents at ATC facilities. The intrusion–detection system has been deployed to only 11 (out of hundreds of) ATC facilities. Also, cyber incidents detected were not remediated in a timely manner.

RisingUp Aviation Resources

This is an aviation directory service based in the United States. It includes links to databases relating to aircraft performance and medical examiners reports, and practice FAA exam papers. It contains a discussion list and a section on useful printed texts. There is also a section of links to other related resources.

Robotic Devices: A Guide for the Transit Environment

This is a United States Transportation Research Board (TRB), Transit Cooperative Research Program Report 86 (TCRP Report 86), Public Transportation Security Series Volume 3, prepared by David M. Rose, published 2003. This document is organized into three sections that describe the process of selecting a robotic device for general and specific applications in the transit environment. The first section,"Environments," identifies the expected conditions in which a device must operate and through which it must navigate. The second section, "Available Robotic Systems," explains the features available for robot devices and provides a market survey of readily available systems that are appropriate for at least some transit applications. Finally, the section called "Selection Analysis" identifies the limitations in meeting the requirement specifications for transit applications. This section also reviews operator demands, training, and maintenance. The text is available in PDF format

SafSec

This is a UK ministry of Defence funded study into integrating safety (Saf) certification and security (Sec) accreditation in order to identify ways of reducing the cost and effort currently expended. The study is being conducted by Praxis Critical Systems, and also involves a number of major aerospace and defence companies. The site provides news, background information, and a list of participants. The resources section contains various documents, reports and presentations relating to the study.

Screening and Securing Air Cargo: Background and Issues for Congress

The October 2010 discovery of two explosive devices being prepared for loading on U.S.-bound all-cargo aircraft overseas has heightened concerns over the potential use of air cargo shipments to bomb passenger and all-cargo aircraft. The incidents have renewed policy debate over air cargo security measures and have prompted some policymakers to call for comprehensive screening of all air cargo, including shipments that travel on all-cargo aircraft. U.S. policies and strategies for protecting air cargo have focused on two main perceived threats: the bombing of a passenger airliner carrying cargo and the hijacking of a large all-cargo aircraft for use as a weapon to attack a ground target such as a major population center, critical infrastructure, or a critical national security asset. With respect to protecting passenger airliners from explosives placed in cargo, policy debate has focused on whether risk-based targeting strategies and methods should be used to identify those shipments requiring additional scrutiny or whether all or most shipments should be subject to more intensive physical screening. While the air cargo industry and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have argued for the implementation of risk-based approaches, Congress mandated 100% screening of all cargo placed on passenger aircraft using approved methods by August 2010 (see P.L. 110-53). While 100% of domestic air cargo now undergoes physical screening in compliance with this mandate, not all inbound international cargo shipments carried on passenger airplanes are scrutinized in this manner. TSA is working with international air cargo operators to increase the share of cargo placed on passenger flights that is screened, but 100% screening may not be achieved until August 2013. In the interim, TSA, along with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and international partners, is relying on risk-based targeting to increase screening of air cargo, particularly shipments deemed to be high risk. Amid renewed congressional interest on air cargo security, a number of policy issues may arise regarding * the desirability of risk-based strategies as alternatives to 100% cargo screening and inspection; * the adequacy of off-airport screening under the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP) in conjunction with various supply chain and air cargo facility security measures; * the costs and benefits of requiring blast resistant cargo containers to protect aircraft from in-flight explosions in cargo holds; * the desirability of having air cargo screened by employees of private firms rather than TSA and CBP employees; and * cooperative efforts with international partners and stakeholders to improve the security of international air cargo operations. [Originator's abstract]

Security and Passenger Rights

This technical report (2006-06) was published by the Eurocontrol Experimental Centre in June 2006 and was written by A. Sauty. Security at airports and on board are more and more motive adduced for introducing new constraints on airlines and passengers. But introducing a new technology in passengers boarding pass may endanger human’s fundamental rights of freedom, such as the free movement of people as well as the respect of private life. The report presents first an overview of the European legislation dealing with passengers rights, introduces then the Radio Frequency Identification (RFid) and possible use of this new technology in passengers boarding pass, and finally, fixes limitations for a potential use of the RFid technology in passenger’s boarding pass. This note is the publication of a law student end of studies report, carried out in Innovative Research Area from June to December 2005. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports

This document, Information Publication A-001, was published by the US Transportation Security Administration in May 2004. It is intended to provide GA (general aviation) airport owners, operators, and users with guidelines and recommendations that address aviation security concepts, technology, and enhancements. This is a living document, that is initially being released as Version 1.0 and which will continue to be refined with input from stakeholders. It is available in PDF (1.55Mb)format.

Simulation in Support of Flight Testing

This report is dated September 2000 and was sponsored by the SCI-005 Task Group of the Flight Test Technology Team which is part of the Systems Concepts and Integration Panel (SCI) of the Research and Technology Organisation (RTO). It was authored by Dennis O. Hines and has the report number RTO-AG-300, AC/323(SCI)TP/27, Volume 19. The report discusses how simulation can be used in flight testing of fixed-wing aircraft. The full text of this report can be viewed either by FTP, or in PDF format.

Study on Civil Aviation Security Financing : Final Report

This is a European Commission Directorate-General for Energy and Transport report, prepared by the Irish Aviation Authority and Avia Solutions, Study No: TREN / F3 / 51-2002, September 2004. The prime purpose of this study is to give information on the ways that aviation security is financed in the European Union, with a view to identifying structural differences. The aim is not just to give total costs of aviation security measures, but also comparative costs, as well as information on how costs are levied. The study contains information on security costs for the year 2002 that have been submitted to the consultants by aviation stakeholders: airports, airlines and cargo shipping companies, as well as national authorities. The European Commission makes no judgement as to whether the year 2002 is a representative or typical year as regards to security costs, post-11 September 2001. It is available from the Air Transport section of the EU's Europa web service as a series of PDF files. A summary report is also available.

Suspension of Rebates for Security Queuing at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports : CAA Decision

This is a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) document published in January 2007. IT sets out the CAA’s decision to amend the Statement of Standards and Rebates to implement a temporary suspension of the security queuing element of the rebate scheme for BAA London airports, and to add an additional exclusion where people movers directly adjacent to security queues are switched off for safety reasons. This paper sets out the approach the CAA adopted in its proposals, a description of the proposals, the key points raised by respondents to the consultation process, the CAA’s analysis of responses and its decision. The text of the document is available in PDF format from the CAA's web site.

Terrorist Watch List Screening : Efforts to Help Reduce Adverse Effects on the Public

This provides access to a US Government Accountability Office Report (GAO-06-1031) dated September 2006. A consolidated watch list managed by the FBI's Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) contains the names of known or suspected terrorists, both international and domestic. Various agencies whose missions require screening for links to terrorism use watch list records. For example, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) screens travelers at ports of entry. Because screening is based on names, it can result in misidentifications when persons not on the list have a name that resembles one on the list. Also, some names may be mistakenly included on the watch list. In either case, individuals can be negatively affected and may express concerns or seek agency action, or redress, to prevent future occurrences. This report addresses: (1) the extent to which the numbers of misidentified persons are known and how they could be affected, (2) the major reasons misidentifications occur and the actions agencies are taking to reduce them or minimize their effects, and (3) the opportunities for redress available to individuals with watch list-related concerns. In conducting work at TSC and the principal federal agencies that use watch list data, GAO reviewed standard operating procedures and other relevant documentation and interviewed responsible officials. GAO makes no recommendations at this time because the agencies have ongoing initiatives to improve data quality, reduce the number of misidentifications or mitigate their effects, and enhance redress efforts. Annually, millions of individuals--from international travelers to visa applicants--are screened for terrorism links against the watch list. At times, a person is misidentified because of name similarities, although the exact number is unknown. In some cases, agencies can verify the person is not a match by comparing birth dates or other data with watch list records, but agencies do not track the number. In other cases, they ask TSC for help. From December 2003 (when TSC began operations) to January 2006, agencies sent tens of thousands of names to TSC, and about half were misidentifications, according to TSC. While the total number of people misidentified may be substantial, it likely represents a fraction of all people screened. Even so, misidentifications can lead to delays, intensive questioning and searches, missed flights, or denied entry at the border. Misidentifications most commonly occur with names that are identical or similar to names on the watch list. To rapidly screen names against the watch list, agencies use computerized programs that account for differences due to misspellings and other variations. TSC has ongoing initiatives to improve computerized matching programs and the quality of watch list records. Also, CBP and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have established procedures designed to expedite frequently misidentified persons through screening, after confirming they are not on the watch list. Because security measures regrettably may cause personal inconveniences, TSA and CBP, with the support of TSC, provide opportunities for people who have been misidentified or mistakenly included on the watch list to seek redress. Most of these are misidentified persons who are not on the watch list but have a similar name and, therefore, may be repeatedly misidentified. Thus, TSA, for example, provides redress that relies heavily on efforts to expedite frequently misidentified persons through screening by allowing them to submit personal information that helps airlines more quickly determine that they are not on the watch list. If TSA and CBP cannot resolve questions from the public, they ask TSC for help. For 2005, TSC reported that it processed to completion 112 redress referrals and removed the names of 31 mistakenly listed persons from the watch list. To ensure that opportunities for redress are formally documented across agencies and that responsibilities are clear, the Justice Department is leading an effort to develop an interagency memorandum of understanding and expects a final draft to be ready for approval by fall 2006. TSC and frontline-screening-agency officials recognize that, after the agreement is finalized, the public needs to clearly understand how to express concerns and seek relief if negatively affected by screening. So, these officials have committed to making updated information on redress publicly available. GAO provided a draft copy of this report to the departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and State. They provided technical clarifications that GAO incorporated where appropriate. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

Test and Evaluation Plan for the Checkpoint Evaluation at the Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport

This provides access to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report, DOT/FAA/AR-01/73, by Michael D. Snyder, dated May 2001. This document describes a plan to conduct baseline and follow-up measurements of operational effectiveness and efficiency of the security checkpoint at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport. The full text of the report is available in PDF format, from the online catalogue of the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Library.

Test and Evaluation Plan: X-Ray Image Screener Selection Test

This provides access to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report, DOT/FAA/AR-01/47, by Joshua Rubinstein, dated April 2001. The report presents a plan to develop and evaluate an X-ray Image Screener Selection Test (XISST). The full text of the report is available in PDF format, from the online catalogue of the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Library.

The Benefits of Positive Passenger Profiling on Baggage Screening Requirements

This technical report (DB-411-RC) was published by The RAND Corporation in 2004 and was written by Russell Shaver and Michael Kennedy. Can positive passenger profiling lower the overall costs of airport security while minimizing the inconvenience to the flying public and retaining airport security at a high level? The authors calculate the cost of scanning as many bags as possible without abandoning the benefits of profiling. [Taken from abstract]. This is a PDF file, so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

The Future of Aviation : the Government's Consultation Document on Air Transport Policy and Response

This site provides the full text of a paper published by the UK Government's Department for Transport in 2006. This consultation document addresses the need to create an integrated approach to air transport policy. The report reviews the current scene and considers issues such as safety and security regulation, consumer issues, economic and environmental effects, airports, airlines, and freight. The text of the paper can be viewed online in HTML format and can be downloaded in PDF (568 Kb) and Word (549 Kb) format. This page also provides responses to the Consultation, which closed in April 2001, and which were published in 2006.

The Human Factor in System Reliability : Is Human Performance Predictable?

This web site povides access to a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) Meeting Proceedings, RTO-MP-032, dated November 2000. The report contains papers from the Human Factors and Medicine Panel (HFM) Workshop held in Siena, Italy from 1-2 December 1999. The aim of the workshop was to inform the task of Working Group 30, Human Reliability in Safety Critical Systems, by providing a review of human factors research carried across multiple domain areas. Bibliographic and abstract details are available in HTML format. A table of contents, and the full text of the document (1.11 Mbytes) can be accessed online in PDF format. The document is contained in the RTO's Full Text Publication Library.

The Practicality of Pulsed Fast Neutron Transmission Spectroscopy for Aviation Security

This web site provides access to a report prepared by the National Research Council's Panel on Assessment of the Practicality of Pulsed Fast Neutron Transmission Spectroscopy for Aviation Security, National Academy Press, 1999. The Panel was asked to assess the practicality of using Pulsed Fast Neutron Transmission Spectroscopy (PFNTS) for primary screening of passenger baggage or for screening cargo, compared to currently available x-ray CT-based systems. An HTML executive summary is available, and the full text of the report can be accessed online in Open Book format.

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Transport by Air of Dangerous Goods, Munitions of War, Sporting Weapons and Animals : Guidance Material on the Operator?s Responsibilities

This provides access to a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) document, Civil Aviation Paper CAP 668, prepared by the Flight Operations Department of the Safety Regulation Group, 3rd edition, 27 September 2004. This Civil Aviation Publication (CAP) has been produced to give guidance to operators in a number of areas related to the transport by air of dangerous goods, weapons and munitions of war, sporting weapons and animals. Comprehensive guidance is also given on dealing with emergencies arising during the transport of dangerous goods, whether such goods are in passengers' baggage in the cabin or in cargo or baggage in the cargo/baggage compartments of the aircraft. The text of CAP 668 is available in PDF format (411 Kb), from the CAA's web site

Transport Canada : Aviation Acts and Regulations

The site provides access to the text of the Canadian Aeronautics Act as well as supporting regulations. The regulations include amongst others, Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), Air Regulations (New Series), Air Services Charges Regulations, Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, Canadian Computer Reservation Systems (CRS) Regulations, and Airport Zoning Regulations. There are also links to the Canada Transportation Act and Regulations, Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and Regulations, Carriage by Air Act, Civil Air Navigation Services Commercialization Act, the Department of Transport Act and Regulations, and others. The text can be viewed online in HTML format.

Transport Canada : Civil Aviation Directorate

The Civil Aviation headquarters directorate determines program contents, policy and standards, while the regions deliver the Civil Aviation Program. The site links to information on the Directorate's various areas of responsibility including aerodrome safety, aircraft certification, aircraft maintenance and manufacturing, air navigation services and airspace, aviation learning services, commercial and business aviation, civil aviation medicine, General Aviation, international aviation and technical programmes, quality assurance, regulatory services, strategic issues and communication, and system safey. Specific resources of note include databases of air operators, airworthiness directives applicable in Canada, approved maintenance, manufacturing and distributor organisations, the Canadian Civil Aircraft Register, Master Minimum Equipment Lists, and an index of Canadian Type Certificates. Other related full text documents include: Flight 2010 which is a safety planning framework for the future.

Transport Canada : Transportation Development Centre (TDC)

As Transport Canada's Research and Development branch, the TDC manages a multimodal R&D program aimed at improving the safety, security, energy efficiency, and accessibility of the Canadian transportation system, while protecting the environment. The site contains background information, descriptions of active and completed programmes and projects, news and event information, and provides access to TDC technical reports and other publications. The results of TDC research are published in the form of technical reports and most are available in electronic format at no charge. There is an index which provides a comprehensive listing of documents published since 1995.

Transportation Security : Issues for the 109th Congress

This is a CRS (Congressional Research Service) issue brief for the US Congress by John Frittelli and updated in June 2005. It discusses how best to construct and finance a system of deterrence, protection, and response that effectively reduces the possibility and consequences of another terrorist attack without unduly interfering with travel, commerce, and civil liberties. It is available in full text in PDF format.

Transportation Security Administration

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) aims to protect transportation systems in the United States to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. This website offers advice on travel preparation, new security procedures at airports, permitted and prohibited items, the law, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), travel tips and press releases. There is a comprehensive travel guide for the public which includes new airport security measures. There is a list of time saving tips, information on assistance for special needs, the latest list of prohibited and permitted items, and other information that will help guide you smoothly through the security process. There is also a section pertaining to security and law enforcement operations at passenger airports

Transportation Security: Systematic Planning Needed to Optimize Resources

This technical report (GAO-05-357T) was published by the United States General Accounting Office in February 2005. Critical transportation systems crisscross the nation and extend beyond our borders to move millions of passengers and tons of freight each day, making them both attractive targets to terrorists and difficult to secure. Securing these systems is further complicated by the need to balance security with the expeditious flow of people and goods through these systems. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) faces the daunting challenge of determining how to allocate its finite resources to manage risks while addressing threats and enhancing security across all transportation modes. To assist the Congress and TSA in focusing resources on the areas of greatest need, we were asked to describe Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and TSA efforts in managing risks and allocating resources across aviation and surface transportation modes, and in integrating screening, credentialing, and research and development (R&D) efforts to achieve efficiencies. [Taken from abstract]. This is in pdf format so Adobe Acrobat software will be required in order to read it.

TranStats : The Intermodal Transportation Database

TranStats aims at providing transportation researchers and analysts, with a "one stop shop" solution for access to transportation statistical data. Produced by the United States Bureau of Transport Statistics, TranStats offers a number of features including: a Searchable Index of over 100 transportation-related data bases across every mode of transportation, with many social and demographic data sets that are commonly used in transportation analysis; Selective download, the ability to choose variables of interest and download the data directly to your PC for analysis using any data base, spreadsheet, or statistical package; Online data documentation, profiles on each data base, summary information about the tables that comprise a data base, data definitions and code information for data variables; Interactive analytical tools, the ability to do simple statistical summaries, create time series or cross tabulations, generate graphics online, and cut/paste results into reports; Interactive mapping, to help visualize geographic data and a Mapping Center with the full National Transportation Atlas Data Base, as well as applications for easily mapping US Department of Transportation (DOT) Grants and several other key data sets. These is a data finder which presents a view of the the individual databases organised by transport mode, by subject and by transport agency.

UK Consultation Paper on the European Commission's Proposed Avaition Security Charges Directive

This gives access to a UK Department for Transport consultation paper and related documents dated July 2009. The European Commission published a proposal for a European Directive on Aviation Security Charges on 14th May 2009 (‘the proposed Directive’). The proposal aims to establish a framework of common principles, for all EU airports, that should be followed when setting and modifying security charges. Substantive consideration of this proposal is expected to take place in the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament during the autumn. Initial views of Member States have already been sought via the Council Aviation Working Group. The Commission, in preparing the legislation, have consulted major stakeholder organisations as well as transport users and consumers via their associations. This consultation seeks your views on the proposal to help inform the UK’s negotiating strategy in preparation for more detailed discussions of the proposal in the Council of Ministers. Ministerial approval has been given for a shorter consultation to enable us to prepare for this. [Taken from abstract]. The full text is available in PDF format so Adobe Acrobat software is required in order to read it.

UK Transport Security : Preliminary Report

This is the House of Commons Transport Committee's First Report of Session 2005–06, published 30 November 2005, HC 637. This is a report of a hearing held by the Committee on November 2, 2005, to which the Secretary of State for Transport, and officials from the Transport Security and Contingencies Directorate of the Department (TRANSEC), were invited to answer questions on the state of protective security on UK transport networks. The scope of this report is not exhaustive and represents the Committee's initial impressions. The text of the report is available in HTML and PDF formats.

United States General Accounting Office : Special Collections : Airport Security

The General Accounting Office is the investigative arm of Congress. Its primary products are reports, often called "blue books," and testimony before Congress. This site provides access to the full text of a collection of GAO reports that cover various aspects of airport security. Topics include policy, funding, and technology issues. An abstract is available in HTML format, and the full text can be browsed online or downloaded as a PDF file.

United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation : Aviation Sub-Committee

This is one of the standing committees of the United States Senate. Its jurisdiction includes civil aviation as well as space policy. This site usefully brings together a range of information resources covering civil aviation policy issues. These resources include press releases, hearings and the testimony of witnesses, bills and committee reports (pdf format), relevant General Accounting Office (GAO), and links to appropriate external Internet sites. However, please note that this site has not been updated since 2001. Details of recent Aviation Sub-Committee hearings are availavble from the following links: 109th Congress; and 108th Congress

United States Transportation Security Administration : Transportation Security Research and Development

The Transportation Security Research and Development Division is the lead organization within the TSA responsible for R&D programs related to civil transportation security. The site, which is hosted by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) William J. Hughes Technical Center, describes the work of the Transportation Security Laboratory and the structure of the R&D programme. The programme covers Explosives And Weapons Detection, Systems Integration, Mitigation and Technology Outreach, and Facility Infrastructure.

US Department of State : Counter Terrorism Office

The Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism (S/CT) coordinates and supports the development and implementation of all U.S. Government policies and programs aimed at countering terrorism overseas. The site provides access to a range of resources including the 'Patterns of global terrorism' report, press releases, fact sheets on aspects of terrorism and reactions to current terrorist incidents.

White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security : Department of Transportation Progress Report

This is the full text of: White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security: DOT Progress Report, February 1998. The report includes an executive summary and is arranged under the following headings: Improving Aviation Safety ; Making Air Traffic Safer and More Efficient; Improving Security for Travellers, Responding to Aviation Disasters, and Looking Forward. The full text is available in HTML format.

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