[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 124 (Friday, September 21, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S9631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Mr. Stevens):
  S. 1455. A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to regulate 
the training of aliens to operate jet-propelled aircraft, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Ms. SNOWE. Madam President, I am sure I am not alone in finding that 
one of the more disturbing revelations of the investigation into the 
September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon is 
that over half of the hijackers received flight instruction at American 
facilities. Investigators have named ten separate flying schools across 
the United States, from California to Oklahoma to Florida, where the 
hijacking suspects may have engaged in flight training in one form or 
another. In addition, it is believed that one of these suspects was 
able to gain legal entry into the United States through the assistance 
of a flight school that provided immigration documentation.
  I know that this ironic turn of events, the schools dedicated to the 
safety of the airline industry were unwittingly utilized to facilitate 
the worst airline disaster in history, has school administrators and 
instructors asking themselves, ``What if . . .'' as they look in the 
mirror every morning.
  We need to take action now to remove the doubts of the instructors as 
well as restore confidence in student pilots engaged in valid training. 
That is why I am introducing legislation to require thorough background 
checks on foreign nationals seeking advanced flight or jet aircraft 
training in American flight schools.
  At present the Federal Aviation Administration FAA, regulates course 
content at these schools and does it well, the U.S. has the best 
training program in the world and pilot certification from the FAA is 
considered the industry ``gold standard.'' That is why a large number 
of foreign students are attracted to American schools. And we want to 
continue to encourage foreign participation at our schools, it assures 
aviation safety world wide.
  However, the FAA does not regulate who can participate in pilot 
training, be it glider plane basics or 757 advanced training. More 
specifically, the requirement for foreign students is limited to 
demonstrated English proficiency and proper immigration documentation.
  Given the events of September 11, it is imperative that the screening 
process for pilot trainees be improved. As such, the legislation I am 
introducing today mandates the completion of security checks before 
foreign nationals may commence advanced jet training. Specifically, by 
requiring that the Attorney General carry out background investigations 
on individuals seeking such training, the legislation ensures a 
comprehensive review against records held by such agencies as the FBI, 
INS, and DEA will be carried out prior to starting training on any 
simulator or jet powered aircraft. Also, given the recent tragedies in 
New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania, all foreign nationals 
currently in training would be required to stop until a satisfactory 
background check is completed.
  I want to urge my colleagues to join me in taking this small but 
critical step to prevent a repeat of unintentionally training those who 
would terrorize our cities and skies and ask for their support in 
increasing security requirements for flight training.

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