So you’ve planned your trip and received your intelligence brief from your risk mitigation partner. In the brief, you are presented with a very compelling argument for the need for aircraft security. But what exactly is aircraft security? What is the guard expected to do? Or more importantly, what does your risk mitigation partner expect from the contracted security provider?
Proper Aircraft Security
Responsibilities of an aircraft security guard should include (a) Prevent unauthorized access and entry to the aircraft; (b) Act as a deterrent against tampering, vandalism, sabotage, drug trafficking, and terrorism; and (c) Keep records of any incidents related to accidents or damage to the aircraft. It is always a good idea to ask your risk mitigation partner for a copy of the guard’s post orders. The post orders are the standard orders that all of their vetted security providers are expected to adhere to. If they cannot produce this document, it should be an immediate red flag.
Below are some common things that should be included in the document you receive:
• All guards will wear appropriate uniforms. The guards will have identification showing them to be authorized to access the apron and aircraft.
• Upon arrival of the aircraft, the first guard will introduce himself to the aircrew and show his identification.
• The guard should be armed unless the nation’s laws, local airport authority regulations, or service provider policy specifically prohibit it. If armed, the guard must be properly trained with the weapon and qualified in its use. The weapon will only be used in a manner consistent with the laws of the country in which the aircraft is being guarded.
• The guard must have a functioning communications method to his supervisor or the local police force. The primary choice is radio, and telephone should be available as a backup.
• The guard will deny access to the aircraft to all personnel except the aircrew and their authorized representatives. If non-authorized personnel approach the aircraft, the guard shall challenge them. If they continue to approach, the guard shall summon help by radio, then attempt to stop the intruders. At all times, the guard will use only the absolute minimum level of force required to protect the aircraft.
• The guard will be stationed at the aircraft perimeter. In the event of inclement weather, he may have a vehicle or some type of shelter, but it cannot hinder his vision or performance of his duties. If the guard is in a vehicle, then it should be parked approximately 50 feet away from the aircraft to avoid accidental damage to the aircraft. If two guards are used, then they will be positioned on each side of the aircraft. They will not stand together.
• Guard shift changes will take place at the aircraft. The aircraft will not be left unattended at any time. Arrangements must be made for a continued presence at the aircraft in the event that the guard should need to leave his post for a short period of time. Guards will not leave their posts unless relieved by another guard.
• Guards should ensure that aircraft doors and fuselage seals (if used) are intact throughout the aircraft’s stay.
• If it is necessary to tow the aircraft, the guard will accompany the aircraft to any location that the aircraft has been towed, without opening any aircraft doors.
• Upon departure, the guard shall give the aircrew a status report and then he can be released from duty.
A company’s post orders may deviate from the above, but this should provide a guideline of what to look for and what to expect from your security guards.
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Marketing Team UAS International Trip Support | - 01/07/2019
Mitch Launius
Instructor Pilot for 30 West IP
Mitch is the CEO of 30 West IP where he is also an instructor providing pilot training on international procedures. With an illustrious career of over 34 years in the cockpit, Mitch has acquired over 13,000 hours of flight time flying worldwide, with over 9,000 hours of this in Challenger and Gulfstream aircraft. He is an experienced safety officer and was also an IS-BAO project manager for a fortune 500 flight department. He has presented on Safety and Operations topics at the NBAA International Operators Conference and the Canadian Business Aviation Association Convention and is currently on the NBAA International Operators Committee and serves as the North Atlantic Regional Lead. Mitch is also a member of an FAA working group on General Aviation International Authorizations and Tabletop Exercises (GIATE). He was recently selected to represent IBAC as a member of the ICAO Personal Training and Licensing Panel (PTLP) and was also recently named as a 2020 recipient of the NBAA Tony Kern Professionalism in Aviation Award for his contribution to the business aviation community.
Henry ‘Duke’ LeDuc
Director Of Operations, Americas, UAS International Trip Support
Duke has been a dearly respected member of UAS Americas team and the UAS global family for more than five years. A safety-oriented, FAA-licensed aircraft dispatcher, he oversees all of the operations of the elite UAS Operations Team. With twenty-five years of experience in aviation overall with more than fifteen years of experience in international flight planning and VVIP trip coordination, he is responsible for the development of the dispatch training program and involved in the strategic development of UAS Americas. With a myriad of rich aviation experience behind him, he has extensive experience in worldwide operations with both corporate and charter environments, including seven years as Operations/Dispatch Manager in an industry-leading, Fortune 500, IS-BAO Stage III Certified corporate flight department. Duke is frequently asked shares his knowledge at major industry events and is currently serving on the NBAA’s International Operators Conference (IOC) Planning Committee.
Dudley King
President and Founder, FlightBridge
Dudley is the Founder and President of FlightBridge, which he established in 2011 and has been focused on technology solutions for the private aviation industry since 2006. Since he graduated from Dartmouth in 1988, he has worked with an array of companies listed anywhere from VentureWire to the Fortune 100. A rare blend of executive, entrepreneur, and consultant, Dudley’s executive roles have included acting CIO positions for several companies and tech advisory services to CEOs trying to rebuild their technology organizations or looking for an external, professional point of view. Highly skilled at deeply understanding his customer’s business challenges and drawing from a long and varied experience in information technology services, Dudley excels at designing technology solutions to solve their problems.
Dr. Paulo Alves
Global Medical Director, Aviation Health, Medaire
Paulo has extensive experience in medical advisory in the aviation industry. As a cardiologist, he provides technical guidance and analysis for MedAire’s MedLink medical advisory service and is MedAire’s liaison with civil aviation regulators and industry associations. Paulo worked with Varig Brazilian Airlines for 23 years, 10 of which were spent as General Medical Manager. A member of the MedAire Medical Advisory Board, Paulo is also President of the Ibero-American Aerospace Medical Association, a member of the International Academy of Aerospace Medicine, a member of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Safety Committee, a Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA), and a Fellow of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. Throughout his illustrious career, Paulo has held industry leadership roles including Chairperson of the AsMA’s Air Transport Medicine Committee, President of the Airlines Medical Directors Association, President of the Brazilian Society of Aerospace Medicine and was a member of the IATA Medical Advisory Group from 2002 to 2006.
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