{"id":17149,"date":"2024-09-25T01:12:56","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T05:12:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/?p=17149"},"modified":"2024-09-26T09:17:57","modified_gmt":"2024-09-26T13:17:57","slug":"tsa-waiver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/tsa-waiver\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I need a TSA Waiver for a flight to the US?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’re heading to the US and are trying to work out whether you need a TSA Waiver for your flight, we have an Opsicle to help with that.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Click to download PDF.<\/p><\/div>\n

OPSGROUP members<\/strong>\u00a0can download a copy for free\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not an OPSGROUP member, but you\u2019d like to be, you can join\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the basics<\/h4>\n

Here is the TSA Waiver site.<\/a> This is where you submit your requests.<\/strong><\/p>\n

And here is the TSA site on waivers.<\/a> This is where you can find info on Waivers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Which Waiver is Right for You?<\/h4>\n

There are a few types. You have your Disney Theme Park, Washington DC Special Flight Rules Area\/Flight Restricted Zone, Major Sporting Events and Special Events Waivers.<\/p>\n

And then you have your International Waivers which include International Air Ambulance, No Transponder and International Single Trip Waivers <\/strong>– this last one is what we’re interested in.<\/p>\n

\"\"

The Disney Zone<\/p><\/div>\n

The Guidance<\/h4>\n

International Waivers are required for\u00a0\u2018various aircraft to fly within US airspace, which includes the airspace above the United States and its territories\u2019.<\/i><\/p>\n

Whether you need one depends on your aircraft size, where it is registered and where you\u2019re coming from.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Flying to and from the US<\/h4>\n

International TSA Waivers are not required for any aircraft arriving to or departing from the US or its territories. So this applies if you only make one stop in the US (i.e. you fly in and straight back out again).<\/p>\n

Flying within US airspace<\/h4>\n

Planning to make more than one stop in the US? You’ll need an International Waiver if you do this in a foreign registered aircraft which is heavier than 100,309 pounds MTOW (45,500 kg).<\/p>\n

But, since most private aircraft generally fit under this weight limit, you probably don\u2019t need one.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"

Most Bizjets are under the weight restriction.<\/p><\/div>\n

Overflying the US<\/h4>\n

OK, here we go, the bit to know – this is for when you take off and land somewhere not in the US or its territories, and overfly the US in between.<\/p>\n

If your aircraft weighs 100,309 lbs MTOW or more:<\/strong> you need a Waiver, even if your aircraft is US registered.<\/p>\n

If your aircraft weighs less than 100,309 lbs MTOW: <\/strong>US registered aircraft do not need one. If you are foreign registered and overflying, you do need one – unless your aircraft is registered in a “Portal Country”, and is flying directly from any one of these (prior to entering US airspace).<\/p>\n

The Portal Countries:<\/strong><\/p>\n