Definition
A field office of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) responsible for overseeing security regulations and compliance in civil aviation within an assigned geographic area.
Plain English
A local TSA office that handles security rules and inspections for civilian flying in its region.
Context Anchor
You may see CASFO in FAA acronym lists, security-related notices, or references to aviation security offices.
Derivation
Civil = non-military; Aviation = flying; Security Office = the office that handles security matters. Together it identifies the regional TSA office covering civilian aviation security.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots may need to contact a CASFO regarding security violations, lost credentials, alien flight training requirements, or questions about TSA regulations affecting their operations.
Intuition Check
“Civil” does not mean polite here. It means non-military aviation.
Example Sentence 1
After his student pilot certificate was lost, the flight school told him to coordinate with the local CASFO before resuming training.
Example Sentence 2
CASFO inspectors conducted a review of the airport's access control procedures.