Requested By The Representatives Bill Shuster And Frank LoBiondo

The Department of Transportation Inspector General will conduct an audit of the FAA's Contract Tower Program beginning later this month.

The program ... operated by three contractors and the Air National Guard ... began in 1982 at five airports and has evolved into over 250 towers throughout the United States.

Since 1998, the IG has performed several audits evaluating the Program. Most recently, in 2012, it was reported that contract towers provide air traffic control services at a lower cost than similar FAA towers and maintain an equivalent safety level, and that airspace users strongly supported the Program.

The Chairmen of the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure, Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA), and and its Subcommittee on Aviation, Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ)  have requested that the IG update its prior work, and review FAA’s efforts to revise its benefit-cost analysis (BCA) for the Program.

The FAA uses this BCA to support decision-making for establishing or discontinuing a tower under the Program. Accordingly, the audit objectives will be to assess (1) the FCT Program’s safety record and cost effectiveness and (2) the status of the benefit-cost analysis revisions.

The IG plans to begin the audit in August. Work will be conducted at FAA Headquarters, and at contract and low-activity FAA towers.

(Source: DOT OIG. Image from file)

FMI: www.oig.dot.gov