Summary: In this testimony on the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) fiscal year 1993 budget request for $9.4 billion, GAO touches on the agency's management of air traffic controllers, maintenance technicians, and aviation safety inspectors; modernization of the air traffic control system; changes related to satellites, support services, and the consolidation of air traffic control facilities; and the need for FAA to establish measurable program goals. While FAA has made great strides during the last decade improving the nation's air traffic control system and ensuring air safety, future progress depends on FAA's resolving concerns about the adequacy of staffing levels, targeting of resources, modernization cost increases and delays, and uncertainties about consolidation and satellites. GAO believes that FAA needs to improve its planning in areas such as modernization of the air traffic control system, airport development, and research and development. Through its planning, FAA should commit itself to appropriate goals that will help guide funding decisions and act as benchmarks in measuring progress.
