TSA Testimony on Foreign Aircraft Repair Stations
Speeches & Testimony
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
ORAL STATEMENT OF
CINDY FARKUS
ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR, OFFICE OF GLOBAL STRATEGIES
BEFORE THE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY
UNITES STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NOVEMBER 18, 2009
- Click here to read TSA's written testimony on foreign aircraft repair stations.
Good afternoon Chairwoman Jackson-Lee, Mr. Olson, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the security of aircraft repair stations. I am pleased to appear on the panel with Mr. Scovel and Mr. Dalbey, as we all work to protect the safety and security of our country’s civil aviation network.
I appreciate the Subcommittee’s attention to this issue as TSA has just this week proposed standards for security measures at FAA-certificated aircraft repair stations at home and abroad. Civil aviation remains a target of terrorist activity worldwide, and with this proposed rule, the United States leads the way toward comprehensive repair station security standards.
Throughout development of the proposed rule, TSA has adhered to the principles that the agency should (1) listen carefully to the diversity of interests concerning the rule, (2) ensure that the rule’s proposed standards are risk-based, (3) provide appropriate flexibility to accommodate the range of repair station characteristics, and (4) complement FAA’s safety regime.
TSA is proposing that FAA-certificated repair stations carry out a security program that clearly defines access controls for facilities as well as aircraft and components. The security program also must establish measures to identify employees and others with access and restrict access by unauthorized individuals. And it must describe the means used by the repair station to provide security awareness training, employee background checks, and designation of a security coordinator.
Importantly, the proposed rule would codify TSA inspection authority to examine repair station property, facilities, and records in order to assess security and enforce security regulations.
Consistent with Vision 100, under the proposed rule, TSA would notify a repair station and the FAA if there are deficiencies in a security program and provide 90 days for a repair station to correct deficiencies. If not corrected within 90 days, TSA would notify the FAA that it must suspend the station’s certificate until the deficiencies are resolved. A process would be provided so that a repair station could request further review of the deficiency determination. In addition, the rule addresses the process for revoking the certification of a repair station that is determined to pose an immediate risk to security.
While developing the proposed rule, TSA collected information on repair stations through voluntary site visits and outreach efforts to assess the current state of aircraft repair station security measures around the world. Upon finalization of the rule, TSA will be prepared to quickly follow through with audits of foreign repair stations within six months as required by the 9/11 Act. TSA currently has 13 international inspectors fully trained and deployed overseas to conduct repair station audits and has provided supplemental repair station inspection training to over 120 domestic transportation security inspectors. We have developed a comprehensive database with detailed repair station information that will help serve as an inspection scheduling and tracking tool. Scheduling of TSA on-site inspections will be coordinated with FAA inspections. We have learned through joint visits that this maximizes inspection efforts and promotes efficient use of resources for both the Government and repair stations. These coordination efforts will apply to repair stations currently certificated, those waiting for certification, and those that will apply in the future.
In closing, TSA is committed to working with our stakeholders, both foreign and domestic, in developing a rule that is flexible, viable, and takes into consideration the efforts already put forth at repair stations to secure their environment from the threat of terrorism. TSA strongly encourages all interested parties and stakeholders to review the proposed rule and welcomes public comment. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss our plans for ensuring the security of repair stations and our proposed regulations. I would be pleased to respond to your questions.
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