Upward & Beyond: We Keep Operators Airborne

For many of us, nothing is more exciting than to watch an aircraft take flight. We gaze with fascination as the aircraft moves down the tarmac, enters the runway, builds up power, suddenly rolls forward, and then effortlessly lifts and soars into the sky. This fascination with flight fuels live YouTube shows on aircraft departing and landing at airports as well as the creation of social media channels by AvGeeks around the world, who fill these channels with photographs of the same scenes.??

However, before an aircraft leaves the ground, there are many actions that must occur, especially for operations providing passenger and cargo transport services. For example, before a charter operator puts a pilot into the cockpit, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires them to request and review certain records that provide information on that pilot’s background. These pilots and other safety-sensitive employees must also be enrolled into an Anti-Drug & Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program and that involves taking a pre-employment drug and/or alcohol test as well as the operator requesting and reviewing drug and alcohol records to verify the applicant’s hiring eligibility.?

If the charter operation has a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Program, there are even more requirements the operator must comply with. This includes requesting a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) and providing training to employees. Adhering to so many regulations can be a challenge for operators, and they often turn to third parties for assistance, like NATA Compliance Services (NATA CS).??

For almost 25 years, we have helped operators meet these requirements with our all-inclusive, safety and security compliance platform. Working closely with operators and regulators alike, our team of Subject Matter Experts have a deep understanding of the regulations that operators must follow, and we use this knowledge to develop services and tools that include:??

• FAA and TSA regulated background checks: Pilot Records, FAA Pilot Records Database (PRD) services, 2-Year Drug & Alcohol History Checks, Security Threat Assessments and DASSP Airman File Checks?

• Biometrics: Fingerprinting—we have a global network of over 325 certified Trusted Agents to collect and submit fingerprints for Criminal History Records Checks. We also offer RAP Back enrollment and Aviation Employee Vetting (AEV).??

• Credentialing: The Known Crewmember? (KCM?) Program and CrewID??

• Anti-Drug & Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program management?

• Online Training Courses: Twelve-Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP), DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP), DASSP Fixed Base Operator, General Security Awareness, Employee Drug & AMPP, Supervisor Reasonable Cause/Suspicion, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Lightning Initiative Training on human trafficking.??

Not only do we provide compliance services, but operators can track their completion, access online tools like checklists and reporting, and seek guidance from our team when questions or concerns arise.?

As we honor our past and look into the future on this special day to honor aviation achievements, let’s not forget what takes place behind these picturesque scenes of flight. Our team here at NATA CS is proud of the role we hold in this industry and the trust operators place in us to keep their aircraft airborne.??