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The FAA has extended the deadline for U.S. airlines to install secondary cockpit barriers on new commercial aircraft. The deadline was originally set for Aug. 25.
Secondary cockpit barriers, also known as installed physical secondary barriers (IPSB), typically consist of a locked metal gate to act as an additional barrier between the cockpit and the aircraft cabin. The barriers were mandated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, and then received a final ruling in June 2023. It would not apply to cargo planes or foreign passenger airliners.
Currently, there are no FAA certifications or regulations for IPSBs. Airlines for America stated that it was not feasible to install the barriers and train the flight crew on procedures, as no procedures have been released. According to AviationWeek, the FAA stated that barriers needed to be certified, developed by carriers, obtain FAA approval of and provide training to flight crews.
"This one-year time frame will be sufficient to address the current lack of IPSB certification, the expected availability of holders' reference materials for development and approval of air carrier training and the training of flight crews," said the FAA.RELATED STORIES:FAA allows for beyond visual line of sight drone operations without waiversDOT performs audit on FAA over SkyWest maintence practicesFAA to be audited on Newark management relocation following ATC outagesOnce an IPSD is installed, it will required to close and lock it whenever the flight deck door is open during flight, such as during meal service or crew changes. Until then, crews are expected to continue with their current procedures to keep unruly guests and potential terrorists out of the cockpit. Several unions are against this delay, as the procedures have been called inadequate and rudimentary, according to Simple Flying.
"The FAA's decision to grant airlines yet another delay on the secondary barrier rule is deeply disappointing and undermines our nation's aviation security," said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l. "While we acknowledge this ruling falls short of the unacceptable delay requested by Airlines for America, this extension still compromises the safety and security of our skies. This pattern of endless delays must stop. Airlines have had ample time—two full years—to comply with this congressionally mandated safety requirement, yet once again, they are shirking their responsibility to implement this critical security measure."