TSA to arm cargo pilots Updated 4:05 p.m. ET, Wed Feb 4, 2004 The JOURNAL of COMMERCE ONLINE WASHINGTON -- The Transportation Security Administration announced Tuesday that it is accepting applications from cargo pilots for its Federal Flight Deck Officer program. The program, created as part of the Homeland Security Act, selects, trains, equips and supervises armed volunteer aviators to protect flight decks against acts of criminal violence and air piracy. It was previously open only to passenger aircraft pilots and crew, but was expended to include cargo personnel through the aviation reauthorization act last year. Volunteers who are accepted into the program must pay for their own lodging and transportation costs while attending the training in New Mexico and Texas. The TSA provides the training and weapons. Once trained, volunteers serve as deputized federal law enforcement officers. "Persons completing the training are well equipped to defend the flight deck of an aircraft," the TSA said in announcing the expansion of the programs. Aviators with valid Federal Aviation Administration Airman's certificates can apply online at https://tsatesting.net/ffdo/.