TSA Armed Security Officer (ASO) Services

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On July 19, 2005, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) released an interim rule that allows certain general aviation aircraft to apply for access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) under the DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP).

The TSA is allowing the following types of operations to apply for DCA Access:

• Operators under a partial security program approved by TSA under 49 CFR 1544.101(b), which operate aircraft with a passenger seating configuration of 31 or more but 60 or fewer seats.
• Operators under a Private Charter Standard Security Program (PCSSP) approved by the TSA under 49 CFR 1544.101(f), which operate aircraft with a passenger seating configuration of 61 or more seats or a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 45,500 kg (101,309 pounds) or more.
• Operators in scheduled or charter service with a Twelve-Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) approved by TSA under 49 CFR 1544.101(d), which operate aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of greater than 12,500 pounds.
• Aircraft operated by corporations.

For the purposes of implementing this rule, TSA considers “aircraft operated by corporations” as any operation using a paid flight crew, having an operations manual, and requiring recurring flight-crew training. Aircraft that are owned by a corporation but operated by private persons will not be considered for the initial implementation phase of this program. Scheduled and charter operations in aircraft not otherwise under a TSA security program, will not be considered for the initial phase of this program.

Security procedures require that an armed security officer (ASO) be onboard each aircraft authorized under the DASSP to fly into and out of DCA.