New Audit Announcements

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The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) aims to modernize the Nation’s air traffic system and provide safer and more efficient air traffic management. A cornerstone of NextGen is advancing Performance-Based Navigation (PBN), a top investment priority for both FAA and the aviation industry. As part of its effort to implement PBN flight procedures, FAA began the Metroplex program in 2010 to increase efficiencies in congested, metropolitan areas with multiple airports and complex air traffic flows. The Chairmen of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and its Subcommittee on Aviation requested that we examine FAA’s Metroplex program, including benefits to airspace users.  They also requested that we assess FAA and the aviation industry’s progress in resolving obstacles to PBN, such as lack of new automated tools for air traffic controllers. Accordingly, our objectives are to assess (1) FAA’s progress in implementing its Metroplex program and identifying benefits achieved from new PBN procedures and (2) FAA and industry efforts to resolve key barriers to PBN.