Aviation Research: FAA Could Enhance Its Program to Meet Current and Future Challenges
RCED-92-180
Published: Jun 03, 1992. Publicly Released: Jul 06, 1992.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information about the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Research, Engineering, and Development (RE&D) Program, focusing on: (1) FAA progress in implementing legislation that requires it to submit annual plans for RE&D projects, expand long-term research efforts in certain critical areas, and establish a research advisory committee; (2) long-term research efforts undertaken during fiscal year (FY) 1991; and (3) factors affecting FAA ability to meet its RE&D goals.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress may wish to consider mandating that some portion of the FAA RE&D budget be allocated to long-term research as it did for FY 1989 and FY 1990. In doing so, Congress may wish to consider including in its definition for long-term research the demands being placed on the RE&D Program for shaping the future air transport system and its safety, security, and efficiency. |
Closed – Implemented
|
In August 1993, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology reaffirmed its commitment to long-term aviation research and included language in the Federal Aviation Administration's Research, Engineering, and Development Authorization Act of 1993 that at least 15 percent of FAA's RE&D budget must be allocated to long-term research. |
| Congress may wish to consider requiring FAA to provide long-term research resource information in its annual budget submissions. This action will help ensure that FAA RE&D activities clearly distinguish between resources devoted to short- and long-term research. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
Because of various changes that have occurred, a fresh look needs to be taken at the status of DAFIS and further changes needed. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status Sort descending |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | To improve FAA management and provide Congress with better information on the RE&D Program, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to either integrate the RE&D goals into the Capital Investment Plan and other agency efforts that rely heavily on the RE&D Program or adopt goals that are directly achievable by the RE&D Program. |
Closed – Implemented
FAA has incorporated RE&D goals into the Capital Investment Plan.
|
| Department of Transportation | To improve FAA management and provide Congress with better information on the RE&D Program, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to include cost and staffing information in the RE&D Plan as required by the Aviation Safety Research Act of 1988. |
Closed – Not Implemented
DOT believes that appropriate information is included in its annual budget submission to Congress.
|
| Department of Transportation | To improve FAA management and provide Congress with better information on the RE&D Program, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to develop a method, utilizing DAFIS or other internal systems, for tracking the funding for long-term research. |
Closed – Not Implemented
Because of various changes that have occurred, a fresh look needs to be taken at the status of DAFIS and further changes needed.
|
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Topics
Aircraft safetyAerospace researchAir traffic control systemsAircraft researchAviationFuture budget projectionsHuman factors engineeringRegulatory agenciesResearch and development costsResearch program managementTransportation safety