NBAA is hopeful a recent meeting with TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger will lay the groundwork for key business aviation initiatives as the agency undergoes another turnover under a new White House. NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen met with Neffenger shortly after the association's annual convention to discuss access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), as well as a potential path to continued general aviation operations should a major security event occur.

The TSA has been working with the industry on various means to improve access to DCA, including continuing to add gateway airports and facilities. By the end of September, the number of facilities that can serve as a direct gateway to DCA had grown to nearly 125. The industry continues to hope to make headway on the key stumbling block, the armed security officer requirement. But any change to that requirement requires signoff by the nation’s security chiefs, along with the TSA. Those chiefs in the past have been reluctant to adopt such changes, and it is unclear what, if any, difference the new Trump Administration might make in this area.

In addition, NBAA discussed the need for an effective program that would enable general aviation to return to the skies in the aftermath of a security event, noted Doug Carr, NBAA's v-p of regulatory and international affairs who also attended the meeting. “Today that doesn’t exist,” he said. The TSA has not publicly taken action on any such initiative since the previous large aircraft security program (LASP) proposed rulemaking was sidelined a number of years ago. Carr said he does not think LASP is dead, but TSA has been quiet on what, if any, progress has been made on the program.

“We are well aware of the likely reaction to a significant security incident,” said Bolen. “Unless we have a plan in place that assures our government partners and the public that general aviation operations can safely continue, we’d likely see another mandatory grounding of all general aviation.”

Neffenger was receptive to these discussions, and the association leaders committed to cooperating with the TSA to determine reasonable measures. “NBAA appreciates our positive relationship with the TSA and with Administrator Neffenger in particular,” said Bolen. “I was encouraged by the Administrator’s reception at this meeting and look forward to continuing to work with him and the agency.”

These discussions come as the agency is likely facing another turnover with the new White House. Neffenger came on the job in June 2015, becoming the sixth administrator of an agency that has been in existence only since 2001. Since he serves at the discretion of the President, Neffenger’s future with the agency might be at the discretion of the next administration.

In addition, general aviation leadership at the TSA has been in constant turnover. But the agency recently appointed Paul Wysniewski as general aviation engagement manager, providing a bridge for collaboration. A U.S. Marines Corps veteran, Wysniewski is among the longest-serving TSA officials, joining the agency not long after its inception to help federalize airport security.

NBAA is hopeful though that by continuing to collaborate with the agency, business aviation priorities will continue to progress through the next turnover.

For the TSA’s part, the agency said it “is actively preparing for the upcoming change in administration, but will continue the priorities the current administration has set on behalf of the American people, specifically ensuring the security of America’s transportation systems.”