Rand Intros Amendments to FAA Reauthorization Act (Arming pilots, anti-drone)

[Matt Collins]

Press release:

04.07.16

Sen. Rand Paul Introduces Amendments to FAA Reauthorization Act

The “Arming All Pilots Act” Amendment and a Bipartisan Amendment with Sen. Edward Markey

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rand Paul this week introduced two amendments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2016. The first amendment, known as the Arming All Pilots Act (S.1594), would increase training opportunities to encourage pilots to participate in the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) Program. Sen. Paul’s second bipartisan amendment, introduced alongside Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA), would protect an individual's right to privacy against unwarranted governmental intrusion through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones.

Specifically, the Arming All Pilots Act as an amendment would expand the number of training facilities used for initial and recurrent training, including firearms requalification. Additionally, the bill will require a five-day initial training, with two days of in-person classroom attendance and additional on-line training options. Recurrent training for officers would be set at two days every five years. Sen. Paul originally introduced the Arming All Pilots Act in June 2015.

“The Federal Flight Deck Officer Program is an important element in our continued efforts to ensure the safety of airline passengers, and my amendment will make it possible for more pilots to get trained and protect flyers. Pilots regularly tell me they’ve experienced problems with the availability of training under the current program; my amendment addresses those concerns and ensures that participants in the program have the critical training they need,” Sen. Paul said.

The second bipartisan amendment would prohibit law enforcement from using a drone to surveil or collect evidence pertaining to a violation of a law or regulation without a warrant. While the use of drone aircraft and technology continues to expand in all areas of the government, the amendment will ensure the protection of every American citizen's right to constitutional privacy protections.

"The use of drone surveillance may work on the battlefields overseas, but it isn't well-suited for unrestrained use on the streets in the United States. Congress must be vigilant in providing oversight to the use of this technology and protection for rights of the American people. I will continue the fight to protect and uphold our Fourth Amendment," said Sen. Paul.

“Just as we have rules of the road for manned vehicles, we now need rules of the sky for unmanned ones,” said Sen. Markey, a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which has jurisdiction over the FAA. “Requiring that law enforcement obtain a warrant before using a drone ensures we reap the economic and educational benefits of drones while ensuring the privacy of Americans is protected. I thank Senator Paul for his partnership on this amendment, and I look forward to fighting to ensure that Americans are guaranteed strong personal privacy protections as these new vehicles take flight.”

To read the Arming all Pilots in its entirety, click HERE. Top-line bullet points and background information on the amendment introduced with Sen. Markey can be found below, and the text can be found HERE.



BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON BIPARTISAN AMENDMENT INTRODUCED WITH SEN. MARKEY

• Prohibits the use of drones owned or funded by the federal government in an evidence-collection or surveillance capacity unless a warrant authorizing the action has been obtained.
• Includes the following exceptions:
  • Patrol of national borders;
  • When there is imminent danger to life;
  • High risk of a terrorist attack.

• Specifies that no evidence obtained or collected in violation of this amendment can be used/admissible as evidence in a criminal, civil, or regulatory action.

Source:

https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/pr...oduces-amendments-to-faa-reauthorization-act-

 

[Danke]

I don't really see how he is changing the current program.

He should support Senator Toomey on this:

Toomey, Casey Introduce Airline Safety Amendment that Honors 9/11 Pilot from Bucks County

Measure Would Require Secondary Barrier to Protect Cockpits of all New Commercial Aircraft


Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) announced that they have introduced an amendment to the Federal Aviation Act that would further protect passengers and pilots on airplanes. The Saracini Aviation Act of 2016 would require each new commercial aircraft to install a barrier, other than the cockpit door, to prevent access to the flight deck of an aircraft. The legislation is named after Bucks County resident Captain Victor Saracini who piloted United Flight 175 when it was hijacked by terrorists and flown into the World Trade Center. While cockpit doors are currently reinforced, a secondary barrier will protect passengers and crew during times in flights when cockpit doors are opened.

"It is just commonsense to install secondary barriers on commercial aircraft. They are inexpensive and convenient. The only people who will be inconvenienced are the terrorists. If we pass this amendment, in time, our skies will be that much safer," Senator Toomey said.

"We've made progress on airline safety in the years since September 11th 2001, but there are still additional commonsense steps we can take better protect passengers and flight crew," Senator Casey said. "There's no way to fully and completely honor the extraordinary courage of Captain Saracini. He gave the full measure of his life for our nation, and his wife, Ellen, and their family have worked tirelessly in the years since to increase airline safety. I'm urging Congress to pass this amendment to make further improvements to airline safety."

A secondary cockpit barrier is a light weight wire-mesh gate installed between the passenger cabin and cockpit door that is locked into place and blocks access to the flight deck. In 2003, a voluntary airline industry movement toward adopting secondary barriers began, but deployment of the devices waned. The barriers provide significantly more security to airline companies, their employees, and passengers. A 2007 study conducted at the request of the Airline Pilots Association International and the airline industry concluded that secondary cockpit barrier doors are the most cost-effective, efficient, and safest way to protect the cockpit.