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  (4)GAO’s reports and testimonies give Congress, federal agencies, and the public timely, fact-based, non-partisan information that can improve government operations and save taxpayers billions of dollars.Jump To:
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                    Most Recent Reports**1 - 20 of 956 Reports**
	
	

	
	  **Released on   Apr 9, 2024**
          Aircraft Registrations: Risks Remain from Efforts to Obscure Ownership Information
    GAO-24-107495
      Published:   Apr 9, 2024
. 
        Publicly Released:   Apr 9, 2024
.
    This testimony discusses our prior work on the FAA's management of the U.S. registry for civil aircraft. Accurate registry information can, for example, facilitate aircraft purchases or help investigators combat drug trafficking or money laundering. But the FAA generally relies on self-certification and doesn't verify information such as applicant identity or ownership. Shell company or limited liability company ownership can also make it hard to...
      **Released on   Mar 18, 2024**
          Commercial Aviation: Key Lessons from COVID-19 Preparedness and Emergency Financial Assistance to the Industry
    GAO-24-106754
      Published:   Mar 18, 2024
. 
        Publicly Released:   Mar 18, 2024
.
    Airlines saw a dramatic, sudden decrease in passengers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government responded—providing billions in financial assistance. What are the lessons learned from the assessment of this response? Our pandemic-related work and information from agencies and industry showed: Greater federal leadership in preparedness and disease mitigation research could better address future communicable disease threats while minimizing aviation disruptions Key lessons, such...
      **Released on   Mar 14, 2024**
          Advanced Air Mobility: Legal Authorities and Issues to Consider for Operations
    GAO-24-106451
      Published:   Mar 14, 2024
. 
        Publicly Released:   Mar 14, 2024
.
    Advanced Air Mobility is an emerging aviation concept that will use new types of aircraft and technology, such as electric aircraft that can take off and land vertically. Before new aircraft can be used, the FAA needs to certify the designs and regulate how they are operated. In the near term, the FAA plans to use a combination of existing requirements—like air traffic control procedures—and...
      **Released on   Mar 6, 2024**
          Commercial Aviation Manufacturing: Supply Chain Challenges and Actions to Address Them
    GAO-24-106493
      Published:   Mar 6, 2024
. 
        Publicly Released:   Mar 6, 2024
.
    Air travel has rebounded since 2020, increasing airlines' demand for new aircraft and parts for current fleets. Boeing and Airbus—and companies that supply them with parts and materials—have faced challenges increasing production to meet demand. Aviation manufacturers reported shortages of workforce and materials. Some said they were offering financial incentives working with local schools to build interest in aviation careers increasing oversight of suppliers adding...
      **Released on   Feb 21, 2024**
          Commercial Space Transportation: FAA's Oversight of Human Spaceflight
    GAO-24-106184
      Published:   Feb 21, 2024
. 
        Publicly Released:   Feb 21, 2024
.
    The commercial space industry is rapidly growing as private companies transport cargo, satellites, and people to space. The Federal Aviation Administration oversees these commercial space operations. FAA is working with industry as it prepares to potentially expand its oversight of operations with people on board. FAA chartered a rulemaking committee in April 2023 to solicit industry input on future regulations aimed at protecting people's health...
      **Released on   Jan 10, 2024**
          Aviation Certification: FAA Should Evaluate   Effectiveness of the International Validation Process
    GAO-24-106040
      Published:   Jan 10, 2024
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jan 10, 2024
.
    U.S. manufacturers export billions of dollars' worth of airplanes and other aviation products each year. Exported products require safety approvals from both the exporting and the importing country. Manufacturers told us it's hard to predict how long other countries will take to approve their products. They also said countries are requesting more data and extending timelines, and the Federal Aviation Administration is short-staffed—affecting how much...
      **Released on   Dec 7, 2023**
          Commercial Space Transportation: FAA Should Improve Its Mishap Investigation Process
    GAO-24-105561
      Published:   Dec 7, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Dec 7, 2023
.
    The commercial space industry is rapidly growing as private companies transport cargo, satellites, and people to space. But not all launches go smoothly. Some have exploded or otherwise failed, which can endanger the public. Usually, FAA is responsible for finding out what caused such mishaps. Although FAA can investigate a mishap itself, it has always opted to authorize the launch operator to investigate under agency...
      **Released on   Nov 9, 2023**
          Air Traffic Control Modernization: Program Management Improvements Could Help FAA Address NextGen Delays and Challenges
    GAO-24-105254
      Published:   Nov 9, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Nov 9, 2023
.
    The Federal Aviation Administration is improving the safety and efficiency of air travel by moving from a ground-based air-traffic control system that uses radar, to one based on satellite navigation and digital communications. The NextGen program had a budget of $14 billion through 2022. In recent years, FAA has had mixed success in meeting program milestones, largely due to delays from the COVID-19 pandemic. While...
      **Released on   Aug 29, 2023**
          Airport Infrastructure: Selected Airports' Efforts to Enhance Electrical Resilience
    GAO-23-105203
      Published:   Aug 29, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Aug 29, 2023
.
    A power outage can significantly disrupt an airport's operations. One 2017 outage at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport led to about 1,200 cancelled flights and cost an airline around $50 million. Many of the nation's airports are enhancing their ability to withstand and rapidly recover from power disruptions. They're improving their electrical infrastructure, including installing backup generators or solar panels. Some airports are also considering installing...
      **Released on   Jul 19, 2023**
          Federal Fleets: Zero-Emission Vehicle Implementation
    GAO-23-105350
      Published:   Jul 19, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jul 19, 2023
.
    In December 2021, the Biden Administration issued an Executive Order calling for most federal vehicle acquisitions to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. This Q&A discusses the progress agencies have made toward meeting this requirement. Most of the 30 affected agencies have started preparing their workforces and set annual goals for installing charging equipment and acquiring vehicles. This fiscal year, 26 agencies set a target to...
      **Released on   May 24, 2023**
          Travel and Tourism: DOT Should Improve Strategic Planning and Data Collection
    GAO-23-105967
      Published:   May 24, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   May 24, 2023
.
    The Department of Transportation provides grants to state, local, and tribal governments to support travel and tourism—which is vital to the U.S. economy. In 2019, travel and tourism in the U.S. generated $2 trillion and supported 9.9 million jobs. Travel and tourism is a relatively new responsibility for Transportation, but it hasn't created a strategic plan with clearly defined goals and strategies to achieve them...
      **Released on   May 17, 2023**
          Aviation Workforce: Current and Future Availability of Airline Pilots and Aircraft Mechanics
    GAO-23-105571
      Published:   May 17, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   May 17, 2023
.
    The demand for commercial airline travel rebounded after the COVID-19 pandemic, heightening the need for pilots and mechanics. But while the number of pilots has grown in recent years, there may not be enough of them to meet airlines' needs in the future. There also may not be enough mechanics to maintain airplanes. To make aviation careers more attractive, airlines and maintenance facilities are offering...
      **Released on   Apr 19, 2023**
          Aviation Workforce: Supply of Airline Pilots and Aircraft Mechanics
    GAO-23-106769
      Published:   Apr 19, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Apr 19, 2023
.
    This testimony discusses our ongoing review of the workforce challenges facing commercial aviation and steps the industry is taking to address them. Increased demand for commercial airline travel heightens the need for pilots and mechanics. Although the number of pilots has grown in recent years, there may not be enough of them to meet the needs of airlines in the future. There also may not...
      **Released on   Jan 26, 2023**
          Drones: FAA Should Improve Its Approach to Integrating Drones into the National Airspace System
    GAO-23-105189
      Published:   Jan 26, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jan 26, 2023
.
    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for safely integrating drones into the national airspace—a complex network that includes airports, aircraft, and air traffic control facilities. FAA has developed various planning documents to manage its efforts to integrate drones. But, it has yet to develop a comprehensive strategy to guide these efforts. For example, FAA's documents don't include important elements—such as goals, objectives, and milestones—that...
      **Released on   Nov 17, 2022**
          Passengers with Disabilities: Barriers to Accessible Air Travel Remain
    GAO-23-106358
      Published:   Nov 17, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Nov 17, 2022
.
    Air travel for people with disabilities can be very challenging. We testified about these challenges and actions that airports, airlines, and the Department of Transportation are taking to address them. For example, some airports have smartphone applications to help people with low vision navigate through terminals. Also, some airlines have developed guidance for passengers and training for airline staff to better support those traveling with...
      **Released on   Sep 8, 2022**
          Science & Tech Spotlight: Brain-Computer Interfaces
    GAO-22-106118
      Published:   Sep 8, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Sep 8, 2022
.
    Brain-computer interfaces allow people to control machines using their thoughts. The technology is still largely experimental, but its possibilities are vast. For example, it could help people with paralysis regain control of their limbs and enable servicemembers to operate a drone hands-free on the battlefield. Yet, creating a direct connection between brain and machine may raise concerns. For example, it could give users unfair advantages...
      **Released on   Aug 26, 2022**
          Aviation Safety: FAA Should Strengthen Efforts to Address the Illegal Practice of Intentionally Aiming Lasers at Aircraft [Reissued with revisions on Aug. 26, 2022]
    GAO-22-104664
      Published:   Aug 18, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Aug 26, 2022
.
    Aiming a laser at an aircraft can disorient pilots and is a federal crime. In recent years, laser incidents have increased—there were a record 9,723 incidents reported in 2021. Identifying those involved remains difficult. To support incident investigations, FAA asks pilots to complete a lengthy, voluntary questionnaire. But it only received responses for 12% of incidents one recent year. FAA and law enforcement previously had...
      **Released on   Jun 30, 2022**
          Aircraft Certification: Comparison of U.S. and European Processes for Approving New Designs of Commercial Transport Airplanes
    GAO-22-104480
      Published:   Jun 30, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jun 30, 2022
.
    Two deadly accidents involving FAA-certified Boeing 737 MAX aircraft raised concerns about FAA's oversight of airplane manufacturers. We compared how FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certify new aircraft designs. Among other things, we found: Both rely on manufacturers to support the certification process, such as involving manufacturers in determining whether components comply with design standards EASA reviews elements of manufacturer certifications...
      **Released on   Jun 28, 2022**
          Federal Personal Property: Better Internal Guidance and More Action from GSA Are Needed to Help Agencies Maximize Use of Excess
    GAO-22-104626
      Published:   Jun 28, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jun 28, 2022
.
    Every year, federal agencies purchase hundreds of millions of dollars of "personal property," which includes things like office chairs and cars. They also dispose of excess property—things they no longer need. Federal regulation requires agencies to consider whether excess federal property can meet their needs. It is generally available to them for free. We found that from 2016 to 2020, agencies obtained $3.9 billion (based...
      **Released on   May 9, 2022**
          Transforming Aviation: Stakeholders Identified Issues to Address for 'Advanced Air Mobility'
    GAO-22-105020
      Published:   May 9, 2022
. 
        Publicly Released:   May 9, 2022
.
    In the near future, "Advanced Air Mobility" services could fill the skies with small, highly-automated, electric aircraft that can take off and land vertically. Carrying people or cargo, these aircraft could reduce congestion, provide lifesaving medical transportation, and more. What would it take to make this a reality? Stakeholders described several steps, including: FAA approval of new aircraft designs Demonstration of the aircraft's safety, reliability...
    
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