Archive
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports and Testimonies
Source: Government Accountability Office
Reports
1. Acquisition Workforce: Federal Agencies Obtain Training to Meet Requirements, but Have Limited Insight into Costs and Benefits of Training Investment. GAO-13-231, March 28.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-231
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653438.pdf
2. Managing For Results: Agencies Have Elevated Performance Management Leadership Roles, but Additional Training Is Needed. GAO-13-356, April 16.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-356
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653796.pdf
3. Grants Management: Oversight of Selected States’ Disbursement of Federal Funds Addresses Timeliness and Administrative Allowances. GAO-13-392, April 16.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-392
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653806.pdf
4. IRS Website: Long-Term Strategy Needed to Improve Interactive Services. GAO-13-435, April 16.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-435
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653777.pdf
Testimonies
1. Federal Support for Renewable and Advanced Energy Technologies, by Frank Rusco, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittees on Oversight and Energy, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. GAO-13-514T, April 16.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-514T
2. Aviation Safety: FAA Efforts Have Improved Safety, but Challenges Remain in Key Areas, by Gerald L. Dillingham, Ph.D., director, physical infrastructure, before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. GAO-13-442T, April 16.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-442T
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653802.pdf
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports
Source: Government Accountability Office
1. Presidential Helicopter Acquisition: Program Makes Progress in Balancing Requirements, Costs, and Schedule. GAO-13-257, April 9.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-257
Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653653.pdf
2. 2013 Annual Report: Actions Needed to Reduce Fragmentation, Overlap, and Duplication and Achieve Other Financial Benefits. GAO-13-279SP, April 9.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-279SP
Podcast - http://www.gao.gov/multimedia/podcasts/653546
Airline Quality Rating 2013
Airline Quality Rating 2013
Source: Purdue University/Wichita State University
The Airline Quality Rating (AQR) was developed and first announced in early 1991 as an objective method for assessing airline quality on combined multiple performance criteria. This current report, the Airline Quality Rating 2013, reflects monthly Airline Quality Rating scores for calendar year 2012. AQR scores for 2013 are based on 15 elements in four major areas that focus on airline performance aspects important to air travel consumers over the calendar year of 2012.
The Airline Quality Rating 2013 is a summary of month-by-month quality ratings for U.S. airlines that are required to report performance by virtue of having at least 1% of domestic scheduled-service passenger revenue during 2012. Using the Airline Quality Rating system of weighted averages and monthly performance data in the areas of on-time arrivals, involuntary denied boardings, mishandled baggage, and a combination of 12 customer complaint categories, airlines’ comparative performance for the calendar year of 2012 is reported. This research monograph contains a brief summary of the AQR methodology, detailed data and charts that track comparative quality for domestic airline operations for the 12-month period of 2012, and industry results. Also, comparative Airline Quality Rating data for 2011 are included, where available, to provide historical perspective regarding performance quality in the industry.
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports
Source: Government Accountability Office
1. Private Pensions: Timely Action Needed to Address Impending Multiemployer Plan Insolvencies. GAO-13-240, March 28.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-240
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653385.pdf
2. NextGen Air Transportation System: FAA Has Made Some Progress in Midterm Implementation, but Ongoing Challenges Limit Expected Benefits. GAO-13-264, April 8.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-264
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653627.pdf
Mental Health Diagnoses and Counseling Among Pilots of Remotely Piloted Aircraft in the United States Air Force
Source: Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center
Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), also known as drones, have been used extensively in the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Although RPA pilots in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) have reported high levels of stress and fatigue, rates of mental health (MH) diagnoses and counseling in this population are unknown. We calculated incidence rates of 12 specific MH outcomes among all active component USAF RPA pilots between 1 October 2003 and 31 December 2011, and by various demographic and military variables. We compared these rates to those among all active component USAF manned aircraft (MA) pilots deployed to Iraq/Afghanistan during the same period. The unadjusted incidence rates of all MH outcomes among RPA pilots (n=709) and MA pilots (n=5,256) were 25.0 per 1,000 person-years and 15.9 per 1,000 person-years, respectively (adjusted incidence rate ratio=1.1, 95% confidence interval=0.9-1.5; adjusted for age, number of deployments, time in service, and history of any MH outcome). Th ere was no significant difference in the rates of MH diagnoses, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders between RPA and MA pilots. Military policymakers and clinicians should recognize that RPA and MA pilots have similar MH risk profiles.
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports
Source: Government Accountability Office
1. Energy Efficiency: Better Coordination among Federal Programs Needed to Allocate Testing Resources. GAO-13-135, March 28.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-135
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653429.pdf
2. Wind Energy: Additional Actions Could Help Ensure Effective Use of Federal Financial Support. GAO-13-136, March 11.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-136
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/652958.pdf
3. National Airspace System: Airport-Centric Development. GAO-13-261, March 28.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-261
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653426.pdf
4. National Science Foundation: Steps Taken to Improve Contracting Practices, but Opportunities Exist to Do More. GAO-13-292, March 28.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-292
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653420.pdf
5. Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs. GAO-13-294SP, March 28.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-294SP
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653380.pdf
Podcast – http://www.gao.gov/multimedia/podcasts/653314
6. Export-Import Bank: Recent Growth Underscores Need for Continued Improvements in Risk Management. GAO-13-303, March 28.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-303
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653372.pdf
7. Major Automated Information Systems: Selected Defense Programs Need to Implement Key Acquisition Practices. GAO-13-311, March 28.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-311
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653418.pdf
8. Defense Contracting: Actions Needed to Increase Competition. GAO-13-325, March 28.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-325
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653405.pdf
9. Manufactured Homes: State-Based Replacement Programs May Provide Benefits, but Energy Savings Do Not Fully Offset Costs. GAO-13-373, March 28.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-373
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653410.pdf
FAA Makes Tower Closing Decision
FAA Makes Tower Closing Decision
Source: Federal Aviation Administration
Today, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reached the decision that 149 federal contract towers will close beginning April 7 as part of the agency’s sequestration implementation plan. The agency has made the decision to keep 24 federal contract towers open that had been previously proposed for closure because doing so would have a negative impact on the national interest.
An additional 16 federal contract towers under the “cost share” program will remain open because Congressional statute sets aside funds every fiscal year for these towers. These cost-share program funds are subject to sequestration but the required 5 percent cut will not result in tower closures.
EU — Air Passenger Rights Revision – Frequently Asked Questions Air passenger rights – summary
Air Passenger Rights Revision – Frequently Asked Questions Air passenger rights – summary
Source: European Union
Europe’s success in securing and upholding passenger rights is one of the resounding achievements of EU transport policy. The EU’s Air Passenger Rights Regulation 261/20041 came into force in February 2005 establishing minimum levels of assistance and compensation for passengers denied boarding or affected by long delays or cancellations.
The new rules have resulted in a significant change in behaviour in the airline industry, in particular reducing the use of denied boarding and commercial cancellations by airlines (with all the disruption that this causes for passengers) as ensuring overall a much fairer treatment for passengers when they travel.
The application of the EU passenger rights rules has constantly improved in the eight years since its entry into force, however, today a point has been reached where the limits of non-legislative action (such as guidelines and voluntary agreements) have been reached and where a revision of the legislation itself is necessary to ensure that passenger rights work in practice as they should.
Growth of Domestic Airline Code Sharing Warrants Increased Attention
Growth of Domestic Airline Code Sharing Warrants Increased Attention
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General
On February 14, 2013, we issued a report regarding the Office of the Secretary’s (OST) and the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) oversight of domestic airline code share agreements. The number of code share agreements—in which a mainline air carrier contracts with a smaller regional carrier to provide flights to its hub airports—has grown rapidly in recent years, raising questions about both the oversight and consumer awareness of these agreements.
We found that OST and FAA are not required to review most domestic code share agreements. While OST is required to assess the potential economic impacts of certain agreements, the number of agreements that fall under the criteria for review is limited. We also found that some confusion still exists for consumers about which airline is operating their flight because carriers, travel agencies, and advertisers all disclose this information differently. Finally, as a safety regulator, FAA is not required to review any domestic code share agreements and does not voluntarily do so. FAA also does not have specific procedures to advance the Agency’s commitment of ensuring an equivalent level of safety between mainline air carriers and their code share partners. Instead, the Agency relies on its oversight of individual carriers to ensure the safe operation of passenger flights. We made five recommendations to enhance OST and FAA monitoring of domestic code share relationships and to increase code share transparency for consumers. In a joint response, OST and FAA concurred with two recommendations and partially concurred with three. We are requesting that the Agencies provide additional information or reconsider their response for two recommendations.
FAA’s Efforts To Track and Mitigate Air Traffic Losses of Separation Are Limited by Data Collection and Implem entation Challenges
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General
On February 27, 2013, we issued a report on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) efforts to identify and mitigate risks of air traffic losses of separation—i.e., when two aircraft fly closer together than safety standards permit, due to an air traffic controller operational error, a pilot’s deviation, or other issue. Between fiscal years 2009 and 2010, the number of reported operational errors by controllers increased by more than 50 percent. According to FAA, this increase was mostly due to enhanced reporting through new voluntary and automated reporting programs. However, we found that the increase was linked, in part, to a rise in actual errors, as well as other contributing factors. In addition, we found that FAA lacks an accurate baseline of the actual total number of separation losses that occur. Although FAA has recently instituted new policies and procedures for improving the collection, investigation, and reporting of separation losses, we found that the effectiveness of these procedures is limited by incomplete data and implementation challenges. Finally, FAA has recently developed new corrective action plans to mitigate high-risk separation loss events. However, it is too early to determine the effectiveness of these plans. In addition, the Agency’s corrective action plans do not include all safety risks identified by FAA and will not address all losses of separation that air traffic facility officials consider to be high risk.
FAA concurred with four and partially concurred with two of our six recommendations to improve the Agency’s policies and processes for identifying and mitigating separation losses. We are requesting that FAA provide additional information or reconsider its response for two recommendations.
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports
Source: Government Accountability Office
TRANSPORTATION
Alternative Methods for Collecting Airport Passenger Facility Charges
GAO-13-262R, Feb 14, 2013
BUILDING PARTNER CAPACITY
Key Practices to Effectively Manage Department of Defense Efforts to Promote Security Cooperation
GAO-13-335T, Feb 14, 2013
CYBERSECURITY
GAO-13-187, Feb 14, 2013
FINANCIAL REGULATORY REFORM
Financial Crisis Losses and Potential Impacts of the Dodd- Frank Act
GAO-13-180, Jan 16, 2013
GAO’S 2013 HIGH-RISK SERIES
An Update
GAO-13-359T, Feb 14, 2013
HELIUM PROGRAM
Urgent Issues Facing BLM’s Storage and Sale of Helium Reserves
GAO-13-351T, Feb 14, 2013
REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS
GAO-13-200, Feb 14, 2012
WARFIGHTER SUPPORT
Army’s and Defense Logistics Agency’s Approach for Awarding Contracts for the Army Combat Shirt
GAO-13-57R, Feb 14, 2013
»
HIGH-RISK SERIES
Comprehensive Airline Fees Guide (newly updated)
Comprehensive Airline Fees Guide
Source: Airfare Watchdog
In the first three quarters of last year, U.S. airlines made almost half a trillion dollars in baggage and change fees alone. It seems like there’s a fee for everything these days. (Actually, there sort of is.) Figuring out which airline to book with and what the true cost of your travel will be is sort of like playing Guess Who? (but not nearly as fun). Need help? Let us introduce you to our brand new Comprehensive Airline Fees Guide, which comes in an easy-to-read PDF format. Here you’ll find every major fee charged by every major domestic carrier. The best part? It won’t cost you a dime.
CRS — Update on Controlling Greenhouse Gases from International Aviation
Update on Controlling Greenhouse Gases from International Aviation (PDF)
Source: Congressional Research Service (via U.S. State Department Foreign Press Center)
The European Union’s (EU’s) decision in 2008 to control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international flights under its Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), 1 effective January 1, 2012, has been contentious among nations, prompting threats of noncompliance and retaliatory trade actions. The U.S. Administration and other national governments have objected to the EU law for intruding on national sovereignty with regard to its application to flight operations outside EU airspace. Strong industry opposition has led both the U.S. House and Senate to pass a bill (S. 1956) that directs the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit U.S. airlines from participating in the EU ETS if he determines that doing so is in the public interest. The EU has refused to eliminate the international aviation provisions but has proposed to suspend enforcement on flights to and from EU countries until September 2013. This “stopping the clock” is intended to allow time for nations to agree on equivalent, global actions under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Details of the proposed EU amendment are not yet available.
The EU ETS inclusion of international aviation, the reasons leading to it, its costs, and other aspects are discussed in CRS Report R42392, Aviation and the European Union’s Emission Trading Scheme. This report summarizes a few recent developments in the continuing debate over whether and how to address GHG emissions from international aviation.
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports
Source: Government Accountability Office
AIR PASSENGER SCREENING
Transportation Security Administration Needs to Improve Complaint Processes
GAO-13-186T
IDENTITY THEFT
Total Extent of Refund Fraud Using Stolen Identities is Unknown
GAO-13-132T
GUANTANAMO BAY DETAINEES
Facilities and Factors for Consideration If Detainees Were Brought to the United States
GAO-13-31
MEDICAID
Data Sets Provide Inconsistent Picture of Expenditures
GAO-13-47
Aviation Security: A Case for Risk-Based Passenger Screening
Aviation Security: A Case for Risk-Based Passenger Screening (PDF)
Source: Naval Postgraduate School (via Homeland Security Digital Library)
Since September 11, 2001, the United States has invested considerable resources to improving aviation security. Despite technology and procedural improvements, passenger screening remains subject to much criticism. Challenges to the current approach include the assumption that all passengers pose a risk; the reactive responses to new threats that are applied broadly to all passengers; high levels of threat uncertainty; a focus on objects versus people; and time constraints on completing the screening process. Combined, these challenges adversely impact performance and result in poor public acceptance of government efforts to protect the commercial aviation sector from terrorist attacks. Questions persist regarding the long-term efficacy and sustainability of the current approach and the availability of a better model.
The approach used by Israel and a risk-based approach that calibrates security measures to groups of passengers based on risk are two frequently offered alternative screening models. This thesis evaluates the current and alternative models using security effectiveness, risk mitigation, constitutional permissibility, social acceptance, and political feasibility as evaluation dimensions. This evaluation of policy options allows a side-by-side comparison of the three models and demonstrates that adopting a risk-based security approach to passenger screening is the best option for the U.S. government to pursue.
CRS — Air Force F-22 Fighter Program
Air Force F-22 Fighter Program (PDF)
Source: Congressional Research Service (via Federation of American Scientists)
Procurement of Air Force F-22 Raptor fighters began in FY1999, and a total of 195 (177 production aircraft, 16 test aircraft, and 2 development aircraft) were procured through FY2009. In the FY2010 budget, the Administration proposed to end F-22 procurement at 187, and Congress approved that termination. The F-22 assembly line in Marietta, GA, has been shut down, with its tools and equipment placed in storage.
Since 2010, operational issues have arisen. Following a November 2010 fatal crash of an F-22 in Alaska, the Air Force recorded at least 25 “physiological incidents” of F-22 pilots reporting hypoxia-like symptoms while flying, possibly indicating oxygen deprivation. Following a lengthy investigation and grounding of the F-22 fleet, the Air Force attributed the oxygen deprivation to “a ‘mosaic’ of interrelated cockpit equipment issues.” Following corrective actions, the F-22 fleet has returned to the air.
The Administration’s proposed FY2013 defense budget requests $283.9 million in FY2013 procurement funding for modification of in-service aircraft and $36.7 million to equip Air Logistics Centers to perform F-22 maintenance. The Administration’s proposed FY2013 defense budget also requests a new start program, funded at $140.1 million in research and development, for the Increment 3.2B software, and $371.7 million in FY2013 research and development funding for F-22A Squadrons.
The Senate Appropriations Committee markup of the FY2013 defense appropriation bill includes language prohibiting funds from being used to approve or license the sale of the F-22 to other countries. The bill does permit the Department of Defense to conduct studies and design activities to develop a future export version of the aircraft that protects classified and sensitive information. This language is similar to provisions passed by Congress each year since 1998.
Global Gateways: International Aviation in Metropolitan America
Global Gateways: International Aviation in Metropolitan America
Source: Brookings Institution
As metropolitan economies expand their global reach through trade and investment, international aviation plays a pivotal role: the movement of people across national borders. An important set of metropolitan gateways have become a major source of international passengers and the key facilitators of cross-border travel to other global markets, making these places especially vital within aviation’s contribution to global trade.
However, current federal and local investment policies do not reflect the travel concentrations in these places, nor do current regulations help maximize international passenger levels. To support global trade across all metropolitan markets, federal and local policies must refocus their support on the key metropolitan gateways.
New From the GAO
New GAO Report
Source: Government Accountability Office
Defense Acquisitions: Future Aerostat and Airship Investment Decisions Drive Oversight and Coordination Needs. GAO-13-81, October 23.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-81
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/650/649663.pdf
Integrating Unmanned Aircraft into NextGen Automation Systems
Integrating Unmanned Aircraft into NextGen Automation Systems
Source: Mitre Corporation
The routine integration of unmanned aircraft into non-segregated civil airspace is important to enable a number of current and proposed applications ranging from military and homeland security to a wide variety of research and eventually commercial purposes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently undertaking a comprehensive overhaul of the National Airspace System (NAS) known as Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). NextGen will include increased automation systems for both terminal and en-route Air Traffic Control (ATC). Improvements in two-way data communication links between aircraft and ATC will facilitate the use of such automation systems. The robust integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into NextGen automation systems is an integral component to meeting the far-term (2018+) NextGen vision. By determining how UAS flight operations and protocols may be different than those of traditional manned aircraft, informed decisions can be made concerning the data and interfaces required to accommodate routine UAS operations by NextGen automation systems, ultimately leading to safer and more efficient integration of UAS into non-segregated civil airspace. This paper describes many of the challenges associated with such accommodation as well as proposed solutions to address these challenges based upon construction of prototype interfaces using established UAS communication standards and envisioned ATC automation interfaces. Enhanced data formats, communication protocols and algorithms are also researched and discussed.
Full-Spectrum Air Power: Building the Air Force America Needs
Full-Spectrum Air Power: Building the Air Force America Needs
Source: Heritage Foundation
Much of what is written today about the capabilities required by the military services is offered within the context of fiscal restraint, national budget austerity, and cuts in the defense budget to ensure that the armed services pay their “fair” share of deficit reduction. This study argues for building an Air Force to support a joint force that can meet current and future threats to American security without regard for arbitrary fiscal guidelines and ceilings. It is time for the United States to adopt an asymmetric strategy linking objectives and resources, emphasizing the role of air power, and maximizing U.S. Air Force contributions to that strategy.
