Air Traffic Control

To minimize continuing cost increases, schedule delays, and performance problems in key air traffic control modernization projects, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken important steps to reform its acquisition process. GAO testified, however, that FAA needs to follow through with its acquisition reforms to prevent new projects from experiencing the same problems. Despite its launching of acquisition reform, FAA still has not announced its new plan to consolidate major air traffic control facilities. FAA's decisions on consolidation will affect facilities and equipment funding levels because its current funding plans rely on a level of consolidation not operationally feasible. Additionally, the accomplishment of key tasks needed to make satellite technology useful for air traffic control may also affect facilities and equipment funding levels over the next years. GAO doubts that these uncertainties will be resolved before Congress votes on the length and size of the facilities and equipment reauthorization.