| Top News Security |
Date posted: April 22, 2003 |
Pilots Complete TSA Arms Training
The first pilots to complete the training could be carrying arms in the cockpit of your next flight.
by LISA MATTE THE FIRST CLASS OF COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PILOTS SCHOOLED IN THE USE OF FIREARMS COMPLETED A TSA TRAING PROGRAM LAST WEEK. The inaugural group of Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) candidates spent the week learning how to use a handgun and apply defensive tactics in an effort to stop a terrorist or anyone else attempting to hijack an airplane in flight. Pilots who graduated from the program Saturday were issued a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol to use in defense of the plane's cockpit. Instruction included 48 hours of training covering firearms instruction, defensive tactics, instruction in the use of force, legal liability and information on how to safely transport their weapons. Training for each of the pilots who volunteered for the program began April 13.
Pilots for the inaugural class were nominated by the Airline Pilots Association and the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations and selected by TSA based on the need to have a diversified test group. Pilots who successfully completed the training are sworn in as federal law enforcement officers thereafter known as federal flight deck officers. Jurisdiction is limited to the flight deck or cockpit. Pilots must complete recertification training each year.
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