Access to DCA Significantly Improved with 44 Gateways and New Flexibility in Operating Rules

March 10, 2011March 10, 2011 jetguy Airport Security, DCA, General Aviation, Signature Flight Support, TSA

Since the restrictions for business and general aviation were introduced at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) after 911, Signature Flight Support has been working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other governmental aviation regulatory agencies and industry associations to optimize the 48 approved slots in and out of the airport.

In collaboration with TSA, Signature has had 28 of its FBOs – out of 44 approved gateway airports – designated as DASSP gateway FBOs including BDL, BED, BNA, BOS, DAL, DCA, EWR, HPN, HXD, IAD, IND, JAX, LGB, MDW, MEM, MKE, MMY, MSP, MSY, PBI, PSP, SAV, SBA, SFO, STL, STP, SUS and TEB.

Mary Miller, Vice President of Industry and Government Affairs for BBA Aviation and Signature Flight Support, commented, “The close cooperation between the business and general aviation industry and the TSA has produced a more accessible plan for our customers traveling to the Washington, DC area. We look forward to this continued cooperation and optimizing the use of DCA even further in the near future.”

On March 1, 2011, the TSA rolled out several changes to the DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP). The changes to the program provide increased flexibility with respect to which aircraft is used for a specific flight as well as the crew composition. The changes are also intended to facilitate enhanced flexibility for flexible screening times into and out of DCA. Finally, a refined Prohibited Items List that is more appropriate to general aviation operations is included.

The DASSP is considered Sensitive Security Information (SSI) and as a result the details can only be shared with program operators. Operators with specific questions about the DASSP or is considering becoming a DASSP operator, may visit the TSA website for the program at:

http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/tsnm/general_aviation/programs_sp.shtm#dassp

A current list of all approved DASSP gateway FBOs can be found by visiting:

http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/dassp_gateway_map.pdf

At NBAA in Atlanta this past October, Signature Flight Support commenced a program to assist operators with submitting their DASSP applications and tracking their approval process. Additionally, Signature assists other FBO operators interested in becoming an approved gateway FBO with the application and certification process.