AIM ¶ 6-2-5 — FAA K-9 Explosives Detection
AIM 6-2-5 explains the FAA K-9 Explosives Detection Team Program: certified teams, airport locations, and how to request assistance for in-flight bomb threats.
In Plain English
AIM 6-2-5 describes the FAA K-9 Explosives Detection Team Program, established in 1972 and managed by the FAA's Office of Civil Aviation Security Operations. Under agreements with law enforcement and airport authorities, FAA-certified K-9 teams (one handler + one dog) are stationed at major airports across the country. If a bomb threat is received while you're airborne, ATC can divert your aircraft to an airport that has a K-9 team available.
Key points to know:
- A team consists of one handler and one single-purpose explosive detector dog provided by the FAA.
- Teams are annually evaluated and certified in five areas: aircraft (widebody and narrowbody), vehicles, terminal, freight (cargo), and luggage.
- To request the service, notify your company or an FAA ATC facility.
- K-9 teams are based at roughly 29 major airports including ATL, ORD, DFW, DEN, LAX, JFK-area equivalents like BOS, MIA, SEA, SFO, and others listed in TBL 6-2-1.
- If weather or other factors force a diversion to a non-listed airport, it is recommended that the crew (or an ATC facility on their behalf) contact the FAA Washington Operations Center at 202-267-3333 for assistance.
This is informational guidance, not a regulatory requirement — but knowing the resource exists can be critical in an actual bomb-threat scenario.
AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 6-2-56-2-5. 6-2-5. FAA K-9 Explosives Detection Team Program
The FAA's Office of Civil Aviation Security Operations manages the FAA K-9 Explosives Detection Team Program which was established in 1972. Through a unique agreement with law enforcement agencies and airport authorities, the FAA has strategically placed FAA-certified K-9 teams (a team is one handler and one dog) at airports throughout the country. If a bomb threat is received while an aircraft is in flight, the aircraft can be directed to an airport with this capability. The FAA provides initial and refresher training for all handlers, provides single purpose explosive detector dogs, and requires that each team is annually evaluated in five areas for FAA certification: aircraft (widebody and narrowbody), vehicles, terminal, freight (cargo), and luggage. If you desire this service, notify your company or an FAA air traffic control facility. The following list shows the locations of current FAA K-9 teams: TBL 6-2-1 FAA Sponsored Explosives Detection Dog/Handler Team Locations Airport Symbol Location ATL Atlanta, Georgia BHM Birmingham, Alabama BOS Boston, Massachusetts BUF Buffalo, New York CLT Charlotte, North Carolina ORD Chicago, Illinois CVG Cincinnati, Ohio DFW Dallas, Texas DEN Denver, Colorado DTW Detroit, Michigan IAH Houston, Texas JAX Jacksonville, Florida MCI Kansas City, Missouri LAX Los Angeles, California MEM Memphis, Tennessee Airport Symbol Location MIA Miami, Florida MKE Milwaukee, Wisconsin MSY New Orleans, Louisiana MCO Orlando, Florida PHX Phoenix, Arizona PIT Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PDX Portland, Oregon SLC Salt Lake City, Utah SFO San Francisco, California SJU San Juan, Puerto Rico SEA Seattle, Washington STL St. Louis, Missouri TUS Tucson, Arizona TUL Tulsa, Oklahoma If due to weather or other considerations an aircraft with a suspected hidden explosive problem were to land or intended to land at an airport other than those listed in b above, it is recommended that they call the FAA's Washington Operations Center (telephone 202-267-3333, if appropriate) or have an air traffic facility with which you can communicate contact the above center requesting assistance.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What is the FAA K-9 Explosives Detection Team Program, and how do you request its services in flight?
Per AIM 6-2-5, it's a program managed by the FAA's Office of Civil Aviation Security Operations (established 1972) that places FAA-certified K-9 teams — one handler and one explosive-detector dog — at airports nationwide. If a bomb threat is received in flight, you notify your company or an FAA ATC facility, and the aircraft can be directed to an airport with K-9 capability.
Q2In what five areas are FAA K-9 teams annually evaluated for certification?
Per AIM 6-2-5, each team is evaluated annually in five areas: aircraft (widebody and narrowbody), vehicles, terminal, freight (cargo), and luggage.
Q3If weather forces you to divert to an airport that does not have an FAA K-9 team, what does the AIM recommend?
Per AIM 6-2-5, it is recommended that the crew — or an ATC facility in contact with the aircraft — call the FAA's Washington Operations Center at 202-267-3333 to request assistance.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 6