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General Aviation Security Training

General aviation faces such threats as terrorism, aircraft theft and drug trafficking. One way to mitigate these threats is through security training programs for airport managers, airport employees and pilots. The Transportation Security Administration, along with private organizations such as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, have developed specific training programs designed to aid users in identifying, diffusing and subduing such threats to security.

History
- In the early days of aviation, airport security was an afterthought. Then several hijackings and aircraft thefts occurred in the late 1960s. The Federal Aviation Administration devised the first specialized security training program for general aviation in the 1970s. After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the TSA strengthened security requirements for certain general aviation airports, and also formulated several best practices to improve security and security training.
Large Airports
- Airports that operate under Federal Aviation Regulation Part 107.205, which are usually larger airports with commercial air traffic, are required to implement secure identification display area procedures and give yearly training on those SIDA procedures. The security training program educates airport managers and employees on security threats such as terrorism, aircraft theft, drug trafficking and unauthorized airport entry and equips them to effectively deal with those threats.
  
  Under the SIDA program, airport managers, employees and anyone who has access to secured areas of an airport undergoes yearly airport-specific security training. This training covers the landside (terminals, parking lots, grounds), the airside (runways, taxiways and ramps) and the SIDA (any area where an ID badge is required for entry; it usually includes sections of the airside and the landside). SIDA training can normally be done within a day. Successful completion of the training allows a user to receive a SIDA badge, which he needs to access the restricted region of the airport.
Small Airports
- General aviation airports that do not operate under Part 107.205, which are usually small airports without commercial air traffic, do not have to implement SIDA training. Airport managers often encourage employees and pilots to take advantage of optional private security training programs, such as the Airport Watch program developed by AOPA in partnership with the TSA. The program trains pilots and airport employees how to identify suspicious activity and report it to the appropriate authorities. Airport Watch training can be done within a day. Also, the FAA operates a tip line, called 1-866-GA-SECURE, through which airport users can report suspicious activity.
Benefits
- Airport security training educates airport managers, employees, pilots and other users on the latest security threats to general aviation and measures they can take to mitigate those threats. Additionally, yearly training such as that found in the SIDA program provides a way to keep current on procedures and policies.
Misconceptions
- One common misconception is that security training for general aviation does not exist. Another misconception is that security at general aviation airports is fairly lax. Actually, airports subject to FAR Part 107.025 are held to stringent security regulations, and extensive training programs are mandated by the TSA. Smaller airports are also encouraged to enact security training measures.

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