New Audit Announcements

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Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly known as “drones,” are rapidly growing in number in the National Airspace System. Currently, there is only limited infrastructure to manage small UAS operating in low-altitude airspace (below 400 feet) where the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not provide air traffic services. Congress directed FAA to develop and establish a UAS Traffic Management (UTM) system and initiate a UTM pilot program to support low-altitude UAS operations. Citing the importance of UAS traffic management, the Ranking Members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and its Subcommittee on Aviation requested that we assess FAA’s efforts to develop and implement UTM, including the results of its pilot program and interactions with other Government agencies. Accordingly, our audit objectives will be to assess FAA’s (1) progress with UTM development and implementation, including results of its UTM pilot program; and (2) collaboration with other Government agencies regarding UTM.