What responsibility does a pilot have regarding aircraft security?

A pilot has a fundamental responsibility to secure and lock the aircraft to prevent unauthorized access and ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. This involves properly closing and locking all entrances and hatches after use to deter tampering or theft, and to protect against any security threats. Secure practices help maintain the integrity of the aircraft, ensuring that no one can enter without proper authorization, and assist in safeguarding sensitive equipment and systems onboard.

While reporting security incidents to authorities is important, the immediate responsibility during pre-flight and post-flight activities primarily lies with the pilot to secure the aircraft itself. Similarly, changing aircraft locks regularly is a good practice for overall security, but it doesn’t fall directly under the day-to-day responsibilities of a pilot. Monitoring air traffic is important for navigation and safety during flight but is not directly related to aircraft security on the ground. Hence, the pilot’s obligation focuses on securing and locking the aircraft.