U.S. flight schools still not screening foreign nationals, could be training jihad terrorists

Flight schools must not provide "flight training to a foreign student unless the Secretary of Homeland Security first determines that the student does not pose a threat to aviation or national security." But actually to do this checking would be "Islamophobic." And anyway, what could go wrong?

"9/11 Flashback: US Flight Schools Still Unknowingly Training Terrorists?," by Lee Ferran and Jason Ryan for ABC News, July 18 (thanks to Kenneth):

More than a decade after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 Americans, some foreign flight students are still not subject to terror database screening until after they've completed pilot training, according to a new report from the government's watchdog.
"Thus, foreign nationals obtaining flight training with the intent to do harm, such as three of the pilots and leaders of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, could have already obtained the training needed to operate an aircraft before they received any type of vetting," says report, published today by the Government Accountability Office....

After the attacks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) established the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP), which is designed to prevent flight schools regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration from "providing flight training to a foreign student unless the Secretary of Homeland Security first determines that the student does not pose a threat to aviation or national security."

But the new GAO report says that the AFSP database is woefully behind and some of the more than 25,000 foreign nationals who were in the FAA airmen registry were not found in the AFSP database, "indicating that these individuals had not applied to the AFSP or been vetted by the TSA before taking flight training and receiving an FAA airman certificate."...

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16 Comments

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London Jim | July 18, 2012 12:42 PM | Reply

That is one abysmal lapse in your security shield.
I've taken basic flying courses when a lad. .even had the privilige of sitting in the cockpit of a swing-wing F111 at USAF Upper Heyford, Oxon.
Memories aside, after 9.11 , I could scarely comprehend how those hijackers were allowed to undergo flight training.

undaunted | July 18, 2012 1:16 PM | Reply

I wrote this in '08 but it's still true enough...

http://freemendo.typepad.com/undaunted/2008/03/here-is-a-repor.html

wildjew | July 18, 2012 1:20 PM | Reply

OT: Idiot!

John McCain defends Huma Abedin against Michele Bachmann

John McCain took to the Senate floor today to discuss Huma Abedin—known variously for her work at the State Department under Hillary Clinton and for her marriage to sexting ex-congressman Anthony Weiner. Is McCain perhaps a People magazine subscriber, using his time in the chamber to congratulate Abedin on the charming family photo unveiled by the mag today?

Alas, no. McCain was defending Abedin against recent accusations made by Rep. Michele Bachmann that Abedin's security clearance should be questioned due to alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. "I understand how painful and injurious it is when a person's character, reputation, and patriotism are attacked without concern for fact or fairness," McCain said according to prepared remarks. "It is for that reason that I rise today to speak in defense of Huma Abedin."

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/john-mccain-defends-huma-abedin-against-michele-bachmann-173234184.html

Bingo | July 18, 2012 3:25 PM | Reply

Ban muslims from enrolling in US flight schools. Simple as that.

epistemology | July 18, 2012 4:50 PM | Reply

Profiling raises eyebrows in the States and in Europe. You can't ban the mahoundians in general from anything that would be discriminating against them. Political correctness is sick, yuck!

blangwort | July 18, 2012 5:36 PM | Reply

I am not concerned about yet another Jihadist who wants to learn to fly. A repeat of September 11th, 2001, is unlikely. It was a one-of type of attack.

Today, if someone were to attempt to commandeer an aircraft in flight, the passengers would willingly give their lives to stop it, because they have nothing to lose.

Besides, the flight instructors themselves are always curious about their students. Remember that the original pre-attack reports were freely sent by a flight instructor to the FBI office.

This is overblown stupidity.

DefenderofIslam replied to comment from wildjew | July 18, 2012 5:50 PM | Reply

That one reason I repect Senator McCain he is standing against witch hunting and Joe McCathy baseless attack on people by calling then commist red. I think they also needed to look into Rep Michele Bachman background too.

minoria | July 18, 2012 6:01 PM | Reply

The more you find out about the Koran,the stranger it gets:

"In the Koran those sent to Hell acquire Black Faces"

http://www.antisharia.com/2012/07/18/in-the-koran-those-sent-to-hell-acquire-black-faces/

AND

"800 Italian Men Beheaded in Otranto in 1480 for Refusing Islam,by the Turks, with the Approval of Sultan Mehmet II"

http://www.antisharia.com/2011/07/26/800-italian-men-beheaded-in-otranto-in-1480-for-refusing-islamby-the-turks-with-the-approval-of-sultan-mehmet-ii/

wildjew replied to comment from DefenderofIslam | July 18, 2012 6:07 PM | Reply

You wrote: "Rollins demanded Bachmann apologize for the letter, which was signed by four other GOP lawmakers, and compared Bachmann’s claims to Joe McCarthy’s hunt for communists in the 1950’s."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Joe McCarthy's tactics are indefensible from what I have read. When did the Communists murder three thousand innocent Americans by means of suicide bombings as Islam did on 9/11? We are at war with Islam or rather Islam is at war with the West. How can you compare Bachmann to McCarthy?

PorkFatRules | July 18, 2012 6:15 PM | Reply

“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

George Santayana

gerard | July 18, 2012 7:15 PM | Reply

Time was when traitors were shot. Now they give them a pay increase.

Alice | July 18, 2012 7:56 PM | Reply

Only 25,000? Must have to do with all those co-religionists in TSA.

Wellington | July 18, 2012 9:16 PM | Reply

Until after they've completed pilot training? Huh-uh. To invoke an agricultural metaphor, this is like closing the barn door after the cows get out.

vnbushman | July 19, 2012 2:46 AM | Reply

So much for Homeland Security.

duh_swami | July 19, 2012 4:59 AM | Reply

Homeland insecurity...The whole thing is a farce...

Flight Schools are a business designed to make money, so they don't really care who comes to class if they have the money...

the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP), which is designed to prevent flight schools regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration from "providing flight training to a foreign student

Not all flight instruction is regulated by any administration...There are some small plane owners who will teach anyone who can pay flight skills...They can't issue a licence but the bad guys don't need licences anyway...I used to know someone like that...He didn't have a thriving business, and no one was waiting in line, but he would train anyone for bucks...That was before Allah got interested in flying airplanes...

London Jim replied to comment from duh_swami | July 28, 2012 9:38 AM | Reply

Allah don't give two hoots 'bout airplanes no more. . He got Morons. . updated drones. ;-)

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