Flight School Security Act of 2015

To amend title 49, United States Code, to require that individuals seeking training in the operation of certain aircraft be checked against the terrorist watchlist to ensure that such individuals are non-threats to aviation, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Flight School Security Act of 2015 2. Requirement that individuals seeking flight training are checked against the terrorist watchlist (a) In general Section 44939 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in the subsection heading by striking Waiting period Requirements; Waiting Period (B) in paragraph (1), by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (F) as clauses (i) through (vi), respectively, and moving such clauses two ems to the right; (C) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and moving such subparagraphs two ems to the right; (D) by striking 12,500 pounds 12,500 pounds— (E) by inserting before subparagraph (A), as redesignated by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, a new paragraph (2); (F) by moving the text beginning with to an alien only if— (G) by inserting before such new paragraph (2) the following new paragraph (1): (1) to an individual seeking such training who does not hold a valid airman’s certification issued by the Federal Aviation Administration only upon receipt of information from the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration that— (A) the individual has been checked against the terrorist watchlist to ascertain if the individual may pose a threat to aviation or national security or a threat of terrorism; and (B) the Administrator has determined that the individual does not pose a threat that warrants denial of access to such training; and ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (j) Annual report Not later than March 1 of each year, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the total number of individuals checked against the terrorist watchlist and total number of individuals denied access to flight training during the calendar year preceding the year in which each such report is submitted, in accordance with this section. . (b) Conforming amendment Subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of section 44939 of title 49, United States Code, as redesignated by subsection (a) of this section, is amended by striking paragraph (1) subparagraph (A) (c) Technical changes Subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), and (i) of section 44939 of title 49, United State Code, is amended by inserting the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, on behalf of the Secretary (d) Clerical amendment The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to an individual seeking flight training on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Flight School Security Act of 2015 Revises requirements with respect to the training of aliens and other individuals designated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security in the operation of certain aircraft. Authorizes a flight instructor, pilot school, or aviation training center to provide training in the operation of an aircraft with a takeoff weight of more than 12,500 pounds to an individual who does not hold a valid Federal Aviation Administration airman's certification only if: (1) that individual has been checked against the terrorist watchlist by the TSA to determine if he or she poses a threat to aviation or national security or a threat of terrorism, and (2) the TSA determines that the individual does not pose a threat that warrants denial of access to such training.