Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) Program

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BARR Program

The Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program, enabled by Congress in 2000, "blocks" aircraft movements from public dissemination upon request. The BARR program was established to address security-related, commercial, and privacy imperatives, and is essential to protect general aviation aircraft and flight information from real-time public availability. BARR submissions were managed by NBAA and provided to the FAA and Aircraft Situation Display to Industry (ASDI) venders to block tracking at the appropriate levels.

In August 2011, the FAA elected to restrict participation in the BARR program only to aircraft operators that could demonstrate a “valid security concern”, NBAA immediately began advocacy efforts to remove limitations on the program.

Language restoring full BARR availability was included in the Department of Transportation’s 2012 budget which became law on November 17, 2011. This effectively prohibited FAA from continuing to implement the "valid security concern" standard for operators wishing to participate in the BARR program.

On December 16, the FAA issued a Federal Register notice to provide an update on the transitional status of the BARR program. The notice explains that aircraft owners and operators may request blocking of their flight tracking information without having to submit a certified security concern. This means that all aircraft owners and operators again have the ability to “opt out” from having their flight information broadcast over the Internet.

Since the BARR program has been in place there has been no need for renewal of enrollment. Once an aircraft has been processed under BARR it remains blocked indefinitely or until the operator submits an unblocking request to the FAA. However, the FAA is now considering whether or not to require operators to re-submit their aircraft for blocking on an annual basis. The December 2011 notice states the following:

“Aircraft owners and operators are advised that they may need to re-submit their blocking request at a later date, depending on the specific procedures arrived at after the FAA considers the public views expressed on the upcoming FAA proposal.”

Newly enrolled operators may receive an email confirmation from the FAA with a suggestion that going forward they send a renewal request by the 15th of the month preceding their initial enrollment date. Under the current interim rule, and until the FAA issues a final rule stating otherwise, this is not a requirement. NBAA is following these developments and will notify Members if there are any changes.

BARR Program Resources

For More Information

Since the FAA is managing the program, NBAA does not have information about the status of individual block requests. However, if you have general questions or concerns about the FAA process, please contact NBAA's Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org or (202) 783-9250.