A Passenger’s Introduction to the DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP)

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) officially re-opened to general aviation (GA) traffic on October 18, 2005, after a total prohibition on GA flights that followed the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. However, only properly qualified and vetted aircraft operators are permitted to fly to or from DCA. Read on to determine if your charter operator qualifies, and what special security measures are required to complete a flight to or from DCA.

Is my charter operator eligible for the DASSP?

Operators with an existing Twelve-Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) may apply for a DASSP. If you typically charter a business jet, your charter provider most likely holds a TFSSP. If you typically charter a turbo-prop airplane or smaller airplane, ask your charter operator if it holds a TFSSP for larger airplanes.

During what hours may GA flights be conducted to and from DCA?

DASSP flights may be conducted to and from DCA between the hours of 6:30 AM and 10:00 PM (Washington, D.C. local time).

What special security measures are required to complete a flight to or from DCA?

• Passenger and crew names must be submitted 24 hours in advance of flight to permit the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to complete enhanced background checks. Passenger names may be removed from the list within 24 hours of the flight, but no passenger names may be added. Be sure to provide your charter operator with a complete list of potential passengers. • Crewmembers, passengers, and the aircraft must be at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure to allow the TSA to screen the crew and passengers, property (accessible and checked) and aircraft. The TSA will also check identification of passengers. • An Armed Security Officer (ASO) must be on board each flight. • In order to accommodate TSA screening, all DASSP flights must depart from an approved gateway airport. Approved gateway airports are: o Laurence G. Hanscom Field Airport, Bedford, MA (BED) o General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, Boston, Massachusetts (BOS) o Chicago Midway International Airport, Chicago, IL (MDW) o Port Columbus International Airport, Columbus, OH (CMH) o Dallas Love Field Airport, Dallas, TX (DAL) o Bradley International Airport, East Granby, CT (BDL) o Blue Grass Airport, Lexington, KY (LEX) o Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN (MEM) o General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, MN (MKE) o Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Minneapolis, MN (MSP) o LaGuardia Airport, New York, NY (LGA) o Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA (PHL) o Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, St. Louis, MO (STL) o San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, CA (SFO) o Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle, WA (SEA) o Teterboro Airport, Teterboro, NJ (TEB) o Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington, DC (DCA) o Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC (IAD) o Palm Beach International Airport, West Palm Beach, FL (PBI) o Westchester County Airport, White Plains, NY (HPN)

• Finally, all flights to and from DCA are subject to cancellation at any time should the TSA raise the national threat level.

Ask your charter provider for more information!