Air Traffic Control

The Federal Aviation Administration has been working for more than a decade to modernize its air traffic control system. This effort has involved acquiring new equipment, such as radar and computers; upgrading older equipment; increasing automation; and consolidating facilities. GAO's fourth annual report on this subject discusses the status of the air traffic control modernization, major acquisitions, and new capabilities projects.

GAO found that: (1) total estimated costs for ATCS modernization have increased by almost $1 billion dollars, with the largest increase occurring in terminal airspace projects; (2) FAA has fully implemented 46 field projects which cost approximately 5 percent of the modernization's total estimated cost; (3) FAA added 12 ATCS modernization projects in 1992; (4) FAA has an unobligated facilities and equipment balance of $1.98 billion due to multiple-year budget authorizations and project delays; (5) FAA is revising its terminal radar approach control plans due to safety considerations, which may lead to less consolidation and greater costs; (6) project schedule delays have averaged 5 years; (7) FAA has changed quantity requirements for a number of projects; (8) FAA has added 16 new capabilities projects due to technology advances, of which 6 will be significant contributors to ATCS modernization; and (9) cost estimates and schedules may change for new modernization projects, since they are in the early stages of development.