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Testimony

Date

The Federal Aviation Administration’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Request: Key Issues Facing the Agency

Requested By
Requested by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
Project ID
CC2013016
File Attachment

On April 18, 2013, the Inspector General testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies regarding the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) fiscal year 2014 budget. The Inspector General focused on three challenges that FAA faces as it works to meet its mission in a restricted budget environment: (1) more effectively managing its workforce, (2) effectively managing its implementation of modernization programs and protecting its airport investments, and (3) continuing efforts to ensure the safety of the NAS. Specifically, the Inspector General noted that FAA has opportunities to improve the management of its workforce—the Agency’s largest cost driver—by strengthening its controller training program, revising its controller staffing and scheduling practices, and effectively allocating its safety inspectors. FAA’s second major challenge is protecting its multibillion-dollar investment in NextGen and other infrastructure improvements. This will require FAA to set priorities and establish sound management strategies to achieve near- and long-term benefits, enhance its contract oversight, and prevent misuse of airport revenue and grant funds. Finally, the Inspector General stressed that FAA’s top priority remains ensuring the continued safety of the NAS. FAA’s safety challenges include collecting and analyzing data to prevent air traffic controller operational errors, addressing the rise in runway incursions, implementing the remaining provisions of the Airline Safety Act, safely integrating unmanned aircraft systems into the NAS, and using safety data from air carriers to mitigate risks