Definition
A person determined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to pose, or to be suspected of posing, a risk to transportation or national security. Under FAA and TSA regulations, a person identified as a security threat may be denied or have revoked any FAA-issued certificate, rating, or authorization, including pilot and airman certificates.
Plain English
Someone the TSA has flagged as a possible danger to aviation or the country. If the TSA labels a person this way, the FAA can refuse to issue them a pilot certificate or take away one they already have.
Context Anchor
Pilots may encounter this term in airport security procedures, flight school security awareness training, TSA-related material, and reports about suspicious activity around aircraft or airport property.
Derivation
Security comes from an older word meaning freedom from danger or worry. Threat means a possible danger. Together, the phrase points to a possible danger to the protected aviation system, not just a general concern.
Why Pilots Care
A TSA security threat determination can result in immediate loss of flying privileges, regardless of skill or flight record. Pilots, flight students, and certificate applicants are subject to TSA vetting, and a finding here can end a flying career.
Intuition Check
Do not read security threat as only an active attack. In aviation, it can also mean a warning sign or condition that could allow intentional harm or interference if no one responds.
Example Sentence 1
The applicant's certificate was denied after the TSA notified the FAA that he had been identified as a security threat.
Example Sentence 2
All crew members completed the security threat assessment before the flight could depart.