Wx Aviation

The FAA has recently issued new NOTAMS FDC 5/6289, 5/5782, and 5/5806; pertaining to special security requirements for civil aircraft operations to/from, within, and transiting the territorial airspace of the United States.  These supersede the formerly published NOTAMS FDC 3/2735, 3/2768, and 3/3013.  Most notably eliminating the TSA/FAA Waiver requirement for foreign operators less than or equal to 100,309 lbs (45,500 Kgs) operating domestic flights within the USA.  Please see the attachments for easier to read versions of the new NOTAMS; brief highlights as follows:

FDC 5/6289 Special Security Instructions for Civil Aircraft Operations Within or Transiting the Territorial Airspace of the United States (U.S.).

Domestic fights WITHIN the USA:

• Foreign registered aircraft less than or equal to 100,309 lbs (45,500 Kgs) are authorized to operate domestic flights within the USA without a TSA Waiver. [Change]

• Foreign registered aircraft, greater than 100,309 lbs (45,500 Kgs) still require a either a TSA Waiver or operate under an approved TSAaviation security program to operate domestic flights within the USA.

TRANSITING flights through U.S. airspace:

• All foreign registered aircraft less than or equal to 100,309 lbs (45,500 Kgs) will require a TSA Waiver to fly through U.S. airspace.  This includes the Mexico, Canadian, Bahamas, Cayman, and British V.I. aircraft registries; there is no longer a provision or exemption for them. [Change]

• All foreign, and all U.S. registered, aircraft greater than 100,309 lbs (45,500 Kgs) still require either a TSA Waiver or operate under an approved TSA aviation security program to fly through U.S. airspace.

• Aircraft registered to a U.S. State Department-Designated Special Interest Country or operating with the ICAO three letter designator of a company in such listed country, unless the operator holds a valid FAA Part 129 Operations Specifications, a TSA Waiver and FAA Routing Authorization is still required.  Those countries are Cuba, Iran, North Korea, China, Russia, Sudan, and Syria.

FDC 5/5782 Special Security Instructions for Civil Aircraft Operations To orFrom the Territorial Airspace of the United States (U.S.).

• No new changes here, civil aircraft are authorized to/from the USA if in compliance with the following conditions:

1. File and on an active IFR or DVFR flight plan;
2. Equipped with mode C or S transponder and continuously squawk an ATC assigned code;
3. Maintain two-way communications with ATC;
4. Comply with applicable U.S. Customs requirements, including APIS requirements;
5. In receipt of an FAA Routing Authorization - State Department Designated Special Interest Countries only.   Those countries are Cuba, Iran, North Korea, China, Russia, Sudan, and Syria. 

FDC 5/5806 Special Security Instructions for Foreign State Aircraft Operations  To or From, Within, or Transiting United States (U.S.) Territorial Airspace.

• Much easier, less complicated NOTAM to read regarding Foreign State/Diplomatic flights - please see the attachment.