http://www.oig.dot.gov/rss.jsp?agency=3 The 10 most recent releases on the U.S. DoT OIG web site ... FAA en-US webmaster@oig.dot.gov (OIG Webmaster) http://www.oig.dot.gov/images/dot.gif http://www.oig.dot.gov/rss.jsp?agency=3 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2581 The Office of Inspector General is initiating an audit of the Federal Aviation Administrations acquisition workforce. This effort is part of our riskbased oversight strategy developed to help the Department of Transportation address management challenges in their acquisition function. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2581 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2580 At the request of Representative John Mica, the Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, we will initiate an audit on job creation and reporting associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Our audit objecitves are to determine whether (1) Aiport Improvement Program, and Facilities and Equipment projects funded under ARRA are preserving and creating jobs; and (2), the reporting of job data satisfies ARRA requirements. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2580 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2575 On November 18, 2009, the Inspector General testified on the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAAs) oversight of repair stations. Air carriers use of repair stations has risen dramatically in the last several years both in the volume and type of repairs outsourced. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has reported since 2003 that FAAs oversight of aircraft repair facilities is not robust enough to ensure that outsourced repairs meet FAA standards. Specifically, FAA does not know where all critical outsourced repairs are performed for both certificated and noncertificated facilities. Instead, it relies heavily on air carriers oversight of repair stations even air carriers with known quality assurance problems. Several of the OIGs recommendations aimed at improving FAAs oversight of foreign and domestic repair stations remain open. Successfully implementing these recommendations would allow FAA to identify and target repair facilities in need of safety oversight as well as meet its statutory mandate to provide TSA with information needed to improve security oversight. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2575 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2576 Prior to the Transportation Security Administrations (TSAs) transition into the Department of Homeland Security, as part of an audit in 2003 of air carriers use of aircraft repair stations, the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General reviewed security controls at these stations. Our audit (originally released on February 28, 2003) disclosed security vulnerabilities at repair stations located at commercial and generalaviation airports and off airport property. We recommended that TSA conduct riskbased security assessments as a first step in determining the actions needed to address repairstation security. This report has been redacted by TSA to protect security sensitive information. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2576 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2572 On November 13, we issued a quality control report on the audit of the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAAs) Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009 financial statements. Clifton Gunderson LLP, under contract to us and under our supervision, issued a clean (unqualified) audit opinion. However, Clifton Gunderson indentified one significant deficiency, related to Property, Plant, and Equipment Accounting and Reporting. Complete financial statements will be included in FAAs Performance and Accountability Report, which also will contain a copy of the Clifton Gunderson, LLP report. This page will be updated when the link is available. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2572 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2566 On November 2, we issued our final report on FAAs Progress in Enhancing Air Traffic Control Systems Security. The audit objectives were to determine FAAs progress in correcting security weaknesses previously identified in the air traffic control (ATC) system by assessing (1) the status of Business Continuity Plan implementation and (2) the enhanced methodology used in the certification and accreditation of air traffic control systems security at operational sites. The FAA made good progress in preparing the Technical Center to serve as the recovery site; yet several unresolved technical challenges, staffing issues, and funding requirements could delay recovery site readiness. Further, while FAA has enhanced the process of reviewing ATC systems security, the reviews were not properly carried out to ensure security protection of operational ATC systems. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2566 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2557 On October 28, 2009, the Inspector General testified before the House Subcommittee on Aviation regarding FAA actions required to address the recommendations of a joint Government/Industry task force report for achieving midterm goals for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen).The Inspector General noted that NextGen is a high risk effort and a top management challenge for the Department and FAA. A number of operational and management decisions must be addressed to successfully transition to NextGen and address the task forces recommendations. These include maximizing the benefits of performance based navigation initiatives and managing NextGen efforts as integrated portfolios of investments. The Inspector General noted that the findings of the task force are consistent with our work but also identified several new areas for FAAs attention.To move beyond endorsing the task forces recommendations, the Inspector General stated that FAA must set realistic expectations for NextGen. Specifically, FAA must: (1) develop plans to initiate action and establish a 5year funding profile for the NextGen midterm, (2) establish metrics for assessing and measuring progress, and (3) develop and implement a strategy for linking near and midterm efforts with the Agencys longterm plans for transforming the National Airspace System. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2557 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2564 At the request of the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and the Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, we will review the five Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) programs identified as key to changing how air traffic is managed. Our audit objectives are to (1) review the status of the programs cost, schedule, and performance baselines; (2) determine FAAs progress in implementing these programs and identify risk to achieving NextGen goals. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2564 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2565 The Office of Inspector General will review FAAs oversight of airline pilot training issues. We are conducting this review at the request of the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and its Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security; the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructures Subcommittee on Aviation; and Representatives Louise Slaughter, Christopher Lee, and Brian Higgins. These Members expressed concern that FAAs safety regulations and oversight governing these issues may not be effective. Accordingly, our audit objectives will be to assess (1) FAA oversight for air carrier pilot training and proficiency programs and (2) the process and data FAA and air carriers use to evaluate the competence and qualifications of pilots when they are hired. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2565 http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2556 On October 21, 2009, we issued our report on FAAs actions to implement 77 initiatives of the New York Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). We conducted this audit at the request of the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, who expressed the Subcommittees concern about the effectiveness of delayreduction efforts at the New York airports. Our audit objective was to examine FAAs progress in implementing the 77 ARC initiatives. We found that, while FAA reported many of these initiatives as complete, most are not being used or are used infrequently due to limited tactical need, operational and technical problems, unfinished testing, and controller/airline issues. Other initiatives face challenges, such as special equipment and training requirements or litigation, or are part of nationwide FAA programs that will not be completed until 2012 or later. While FAA has begun addressing these issues, much work remains to be done. We recommended that FAA (1) assess completed and remaining initiatives to determine whether they are providing benefits or should be discontinued or recategorized, (2) resolve technical, operational, and controller/airline issues affecting many of the initiatives reported as completed, and (3) fully operationalize the Integration Offices NY Area Delay Reduction Plan and Schedule. FAA generally concurred with our recommendations. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2556