DASSP Operating Procedures

Updated April 5, 2017

For the official process for approval to fly into DCA, please review the interim final rule (PDF) or visit the TSA’s web site.

For aircraft operators to fly into and out of DCA, they must designate a security coordinator at their company and adopt a DASSP. As part of the DASSP, they must ensure that all flight crewmembers have undergone a fingerprint-based criminal history records check (CHRC).

Once aircraft operators have complied with those requirements, they will be eligible to apply to the FAA for a slot reservation into DCA, and to TSA for authorization to operate specific flights into and out of DCA.

To receive TSA authorization for a flight, aircraft operators must do the following:

• Submit passenger and crew manifests 24 hours in advance of flight.
• Have name-based threat assessments conducted by TSA on their flight crewmembers and passengers on the flight.
• Carry an armed security officer (ASO) who also must have a threat assessment conducted by TSA, as well as specialized training and authorization from TSA.
• Have their last point of departure from a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) that holds a security program issued by TSA at an airport designated by TSA (referred to as a "gateway airport").
• Have the TSA inspect the aircraft and screen the passengers, carry-on property, and property carried in the cargo hold of the aircraft, before it departs for DCA.
• Operate under instrument flight rules and comply with all applicable FAA rules, including those rules for operating in the Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ).
• Pay any costs and fees required under the program, including a threat assessment fee for each passenger and crewmember whose information the aircraft operator submits to TSA as part of the flight approval process.