United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2006-09-20 monographic deposited born digital 41 p. GA 1.13:GAO-06-1091T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-1091T P0b002ee180376c11 f:d061091t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-1091T machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-1091T GAO-06-1091T Aircraft accidents Aircraft industry Airlines Commercial aviation Employee training Employees Inspection Program evaluation Program management Risk assessment Safety standards Strategic planning Transportation safety FAA Air Transportation Oversight System FAA Surveillance and Evaluation Program Testimony A61201 The U.S. commercial aviation industry has had an extraordinary safety record in recent years. However, expected increases in air-traffic--including the introduction of new vehicles into the national airspace, such as unmanned vehicles and very light jets--and human resource issues, present challenges that have the potential to strain the existing safety oversight system. GAO's testimony focuses on these questions: (1) How is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ensuring that the areas of highest safety risk are addressed? (2) How is FAA ensuring that its staff maintain the skills and knowledge to consistently carry out the agency's oversight programs? and (3) What are the key safety challenges facing FAA? This statement is based on our recent reports on FAA's inspection oversight programs, industry partnership programs, and enforcement and training programs. It is also based on interviews with FAA and relevant industry officials. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-1091T/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-1091T.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-1091T/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-1091T.pdf GAO-06-1091T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-1091T Testimony GAO-06-1091T; Aviation Safety: FAA's Safety Efforts Generally Strong but Face Challenges; Aircraft accidents Aircraft industry Airlines Commercial aviation Employee training Employees Inspection Program evaluation Program management Risk assessment Safety standards Strategic planning Transportation safety FAA Air Transportation Oversight System FAA Surveillance and Evaluation Program