New Process to Block or Unblock an Aircraft
On December 16, the FAA issued a Federal Register notice to provide an update on the transitional status of the BARR program. The notice explains that aircraft owners and operators may request blocking of their flight tracking information without having to submit a certified security concern. This means that all aircraft owners and operators again have the ability to “opt out” from having their flight information broadcast over the Internet.
Since the FAA is managing the program, NBAA does not have information about the status of individual block requests. However, if you have general questions or concerns about the FAA process, contact NBAA's Operations service group at info@nbaa.org or (202) 783-9250.
At this time, FAA plans to update the blocking lists on a monthly basis. Operators that submit requests by the 15th of the month should plan on FAA implementing the request by the 5th of the following month.
New Blocking Requests
Determine the Appropriate Blocking Level
Operators should carefully review the two available blocking options below to make sure they understand the differences between each option. It is important to specify the desired blocking level in any requests to FAA.
ASDI Vendor Level Blocking
Under ASDI Vendor Level Blocking an operator’s flight tracking data is still broadcast from FAA to the ASDI providers (i.e. flight tracking vendors). However, the providers are bound by a letter of agreement to not publically display information for aircraft on the blocked list. This option allows operators to track their own aircraft through the ASDI vendor of their choice.
To track their own aircraft, the operator must contact the ASDI provider and request that the tracking information be selectively unblocked. Note that some ASDI providers may charge for this service.
Review a List of Current ASDI Vendors
FAA Level Blocking
Using this level, an operator’s ADSI data is not broadcast from the FAA to the ASDI vendors at all. Aircraft operators considering the FAA-level block should remember that they will not be able to track their own aircraft via an ASDI vendor once the FAA block is in place.
Submit Blocking Request to FAA via Email
Send an email to FAA at CertifiedSecurityConcern@faa.gov with the following information:
- Aircraft owner or operator name
- Email address FAA can utilize to communicate with aircraft owner/operator about the blocking request
- Call sign (Tail Number) to be blocked - multiple tail numbers (Call Signs) can be submitted in one request
- Blocking level desired ("ASDI Vendor Level" or "FAA Level")
- Failure to select a blocking level will result in FAA automatically blocking aircraft at the FAA Level.
The best way to request blocking with FAA is via email. Operators without access to email may mail requests to:
FAA ASDI Blocking Request: ATO
System Operations Services, AJR–0
Wilbur Wright Building, Room 3E1500
600 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20597
Do not submit a request via email and follow-up by submitting the same request via mail or fax. This generates increased workload for FAA and will likely delay the implementation of your blocking request.
Unblocking Requests
Operators wishing to submit a request to unblock an aircraft should follow these steps:
Submit Unblocking Request to FAA via Email
Send an email to FAA at CertifiedSecurityConcern@faa.gov with the following information:
- Aircraft owner or operator name
- Email address FAA can utilize to communicate with aircraft owner/operator about the blocking request
- Call sign (Tail Number) to be blocked - multiple tail numbers (call signs) can be submitted in one request
