American Flyers FIRC 2020/TSA Security Module

[Hacker]

I have been using American Flyers FIRC since 2012, and just began my latest refresher this morning.

I appreciate that the FIRC content changes constantly, but this time around rather than just multiple choice questions based on the material there is a large amount of free-text answer questions. That's an interesting method...I'm not sure how/why AF has gone that way, or how they're planning on evaluating the free-text answers, or what they're going to do with the information contained in those answers.

So far I'm just in the TSA security module at the very beginning of the program. The strange part is that these questions aren't designed to assess your understanding of the material. Instead they are asking FIRC applicants to make assessments of their own airports and FBOs and comment on what is good, what is bad, and what suggestions we might have on improving those procedures.

"What recommendations do you have to improve security of aircraft at your airport?"

"Does your airport have security gates/doors? If so, do you have any recommendation on how they can be improved?"

"Describe a security procedure that has been implemented at your airport."

"Give an example of a security measure or security procedure that has been implemented at your flight school, FBO/business, or airport."

What, exactly, is the educational benefit of answering these questions? I understand the value of self-assessment and heightening awareness of facility and program security, but these questions seem either like "struggle sessions" (at best) or, if I'm being really cynical, intel gathering on the average state of security awareness in the GA world. It doesn't seem to be anything that benefits me as an FIRC applicant...rather a method of surveying weaknesses and gathering data for TSA.

The questions remind me of this old SNL skit.

 

[A1Topgun]

What, exactly, is the educational benefit of answering these questions? I understand the value of self-assessment and heightening awareness of facility and program security, but these questions seem either like "struggle sessions" (at best) or, if I'm being really cynical, intel gathering on the average state of security awareness in the GA world. It doesn't seem to be anything that benefits me as an FIRC applicant...rather a method of surveying weaknesses and gathering data for TSA.

As you said, data mining at your local airport.

 

[unsafervguy]

unless it has changed since october, when i did mine, that is only in the tsa module and does nothing. you just need to complete the module. the rest should be exactly what you have seen before.

 

[ahw01]

I should really save my answers each year. Got mine on 1 Aug. I went to Flyers so I'm only telling them about their own holes in the fence etc.

 

[midlifeflyer]

It's standard for the TSA piece no matter whether you use AF, AOPA, Gleim, etc, etc. They are airport specific and it's kind of difficult to make "what security measures have been taken at your home base this past year," multiple choice.

 

[Pugs]

The questions remind me of this old SNL skit.

Nothing to add on the questionnaire but wow that skit takes me back and it's funny to see a lot of those folks much younger (um or dead).

 

[EdFred]

Oh, I can't wait to answer those questions!

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

Oh, I can't wait to answer those questions!

Let me help.

"What recommendations do you have to improve security of aircraft at your airport?"

Improve drainage. Aircraft are at much more risk from moisture and corrosion than bad people.

"Does your airport have security gates/doors? If so, do you have any recommendation on how they can be improved?"

There are gates, but while they are left open there are lots of signs to intimidate potential students and make it impossible to get to the FBO if you aren't comfortable ignoring the signs. Closing the gates would hasten the death of the airport, but I hardly consider that an "improvement".

"Describe a security procedure that has been implemented at your airport."

See previous question.

"Give an example of a security measure or security procedure that has been implemented at your flight school, FBO/business, or airport."

The requirements for FBOs have pretty much chased everyone away. The only maintenance on the field any more are a couple of "trunkers". Thank God for them.

1/5/02 - never forget.

 

[EdFred]

Oh, I fully anticipate mentioning chupacabras, the loch ness monster, and sasquatch as security threats.

I also suggest shooting anyone who approached without question or remorse, because the only person who should be allowed to fly is, well, me. (Sorry Dad, TSA y'know)

 

[Shepherd]

There are still airports that refuse to put up fences and gates.
I patronize them as much as possible.

 

[Hacker]

it's kind of difficult to make "what security measures have been taken at your home base this past year," multiple choice.

Agreed, I was more criticizing the entire line of "questioning" as part of an FIRC.

 

[RussR]

As I understand it, it's not actually "part of the FIRC", persay, it's a separate module that you could take any time. Especially since the TSA training needs to be done annually and FIRCs are every two years, of course.

I doubt the free-text answers you provide have any effect on completing the course. Enter gibberish if you want.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Agreed, I was more criticizing the entire line of "questioning" as part of an FIRC.

I agree that's its a little weird for an FIRC. It's not really part of an FIRC. More of an accommodation to cover the annual TSA requirement (you can do it on the off-FIRC years too), although if you are not teaching at all or accommodated some other way, I have no idea if you can skip it.