News
U.S. Customs expands radiation scanning of GA aircraft

Dec. 31, 2007 – On December 30, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) implemented a
program to scan all internationally arriving general aviation (GA)
aircraft
for illicit radiological/nuclear materials. This is an expansion of a
pilot program to scan GA aircraft arriving at certain ports about which
NBAA
first reported last August. CBP officers will use a radiation isotope
identification device (RIID) to screen aircraft. Operators will be
asked to
shut down the aircraft engines, auxiliary power unit and certain
electronic systems. At the discretion of the CBP officer, passengers
and crew may be
required to disembark the aircraft prior to screening. During the five-
to 15-minute procedure, the CBP officer will scan both the exterior and
interior of the aircraft using the RIID. In most cases, CBP does not
anticipate a significant delay in normal arrival processing. For more
information, contact NBAA's Operations Services Group at info@nbaa.org or visit:
http://web.nbaa.org/public/ops/radiation.php