Serious Shortcomings in FAA's Training Program Must Be Remedied
Highlights
GAO discussed the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) training of its safety-related work forces, focusing on FAA progress in implementing its Flight Plan for Training. GAO noted that: (1) in 1989, 28,000 FAA employees attended training; (2) an increase in staff, the modernization of the air traffic system, and new safety inspection requirements resulted in a greater need for FAA to conduct training and improve its training methods; (3) so far, the FAA Flight Plan for Training, which cost $406 million, has made little progress, primarily due to limited funding and the need for plan revisions; (4) internal appraisals and audits indicated that FAA did not evaluate training contracts promptly, which resulted in inadequate contractor performance and wasted money; and (5) FAA was not fully using its training capability, since it had not established accountability for class attendance.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to develop criteria for determining priorities for its training modernization program, Flight Plan for Training. |
Closed – Not Implemented
The Flight Plan for Training has been superseded by new training approaches. The recommendation should be closed.
|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to develop performance standards for controller field training contracts with measurable tasks and milestones, and implement them before expanding contracted instruction. |
Closed – Implemented
FAA issued training contract modifications that require an approved implementation plan with milestones should the contracts expand to other facilities. FAA also developed a certification process for contract instructors which outlines procedures for training and certifying new instructors, to include time limits for training new instructors.
|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to clearly designate management accountability for ensuring the use of training slots. |
Closed – Implemented
FAA is updating its National Training Directive to address management accountability for ensuring the use of training slots.
|