Privacy and Security: FAA restricts public access to flight data

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced new regulations aimed at strengthening the privacy of owners of private aircraft, whether they are personal or corporate airplanes, helicopters or even tiltrotors, by limiting the public availability of flight log data. The move, driven by security and privacy concerns, represents a significant shift in the way private flight information is handled in the United States.

Starting from last March 28, private aircraft owners will have the option to request that their information be kept private through the Civil Aviation Registry Electronic Services (CARES). The measure, implemented in accordance with the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, will redact sensitive data such as the names and addresses of owners, making it more difficult to track private flights on-line.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomed the FAA initiative, emphasizing the importance of protecting the safety and privacy of companies and their executives. "Safety is a top concern for companies of all sizes across the country", said Ed Bolen, president and CEO of the NBAA. "We are grateful that Congress has passed this bipartisan legislation".

The agency is also considering mandating confidentiality of aircraft owners’ personal information, and has announced that it will publish a request for comment in the Federal Register to seek input on the issue. The goal is to balance the protection of owners’ privacy with the need to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. The agency will also provide owners and operators with a means to download their data when needed.