House Transportation Committee Requested The Probe

The DOT Inspector General plans to begin an audit of the FAA's organization structure this month at the request of the chairs of the House Transportation Committee and Aviation Subcommittee.

In a document posted on the Federal Register, over the past two decades, FAA has undergone several reorganizations and structural changes in an effort to improve its operation of the National Airspace System, such as the establishment of the Air Traffic Organization in 2000. The IG says the audit objectives are to:

• Determine whether FAA reforms implemented since 1995 have resulted in improved air traffic operations, reduced Agency costs, and expedited delivery of new technologies
• Compare the processes used by different countries to deliver air traffic services and implement new technologies.

The request was made by Transportation Committee Chair Bill Shuster (R-PA) (pictured, left) and Aviation Subcommittee Chair Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) (pictured, right) in September.

FAA reauthorization legislation is scheduled to be before the committee later this month. LoBiondo said at a hearing December 12 that one of his top priorities was the implementation of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act, and that organization changes at the agency may be necessary for that to be accomplished.

FMI: www.oig.dot.gov