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Open Recommendations (40 total)

Drones: Actions Needed to Better Support Remote Identification in the National Airspace

GAO-24-106158
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3 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Aviation Administration The Administrator of FAA should develop a plan and timeline for deploying FAA's interface in collaboration with DHS and DOJ. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Aviation Administration The Administrator of FAA should identify a path forward for how to provide real-time, networked data about the location and status of drones. This could include identifying and assessing short-term and long-term options and clarifying roles and responsibilities. (Recommendation 4)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Federal Aviation Administration The Administrator of FAA should develop resources to help tribal, state, and local law enforcement use Remote ID. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Aviation Safety: Federal Efforts to Address Unauthorized Drone Flights Near Airports

GAO-24-107195
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Aviation Administration As part of ongoing efforts to develop an overarching strategy for drone integration, the Administrator of FAA should ensure that the strategy reflects plans for assessing how drone detection and mitigation technology will affect technologies aimed at allowing increased and routine drone traffic, particularly at airports. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Federal Regulation: Selected Emerging Technologies Highlight the Need for Legislative Analysis and Enhanced Coordination

GAO-24-106122
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Aviation Administration The Administrator of the FAA should publicize the ETC and establish a mechanism for regulated entities to communicate with the ETC to obtain assistance with applicable drone requirements. (Recommendation 3)
Open
The Department of Transportation concurred with the recommendation. In a May 2024 letter, Department of Transportation said that FAA recognizes the need to establish a mechanism for regulated entities to communicate with the FAA on all emerging entrant requirements, including drones. An enterprise-wide team evaluated existing agency processes and recommended a solution that begins with the development of an external facing emerging entrant FAA website to serve as the initial entry point to the FAA for all emerging entrants. FAA anticipates that solution will be implemented by June 30, 2025 and will include access to the ETC. We will provide updated information once we confirm FAA has completed this project.

Aviation Certification: FAA Should Evaluate Effectiveness of the International Validation Process

GAO-24-106040
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4 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Aviation Administration The Administrator of FAA should use the information FAA collects to assess the results of and inform decisions about any needed improvements to the international validations process. (Recommendation 3)
Open
In its May 2024 180-day letter, DOT concurred with this recommendation and said FAA's international performance goals will be used to assess the functioning of the international validation processes. The goals, metrics, and information collected will be used to inform changes to the FAA's international validation process. Improvements will be focused on reducing delays, improving predictability, and reducing duplication of the validation process. FAA plans to complete these assessments and the identification of improvements by September30, 2025. GAO will monitor and report on FAA's efforts regarding this recommendation.
Federal Aviation Administration The Administrator of FAA should establish quantifiable goals for the international validations process. (Recommendation 1)
Open
In its May 2024 180-day letter, DOT concurred with this recommendation and said FAA plans to establish the appropriate quantifiable goals for the international validation process. FAA also plans to develop and publish the goals and measures by September 30, 2024. GAO will monitor and report on FAA's efforts regarding this recommendation.
Federal Aviation Administration The Administrator of FAA should establish a time frame and develop an action plan for FAA's efforts to develop its approach for assessing the international validations process. (Recommendation 4)
Open
In its May 2024 180-day letter, DOT concurred with this recommendation and said FAA plans to establish an action plan and timeframes for the performance assessment of the international validation process. FAA also plans to utilize existing data and information, industry metrics, and the information FAA gathers through ongoing bilateral engagements on validation programs for these assessments as the FAA develops additional data and upgrades work tracking systems. These inputs are expected to enable FAA to systematically assess and refine performance management for the international validations process in the near term. Finally, FAA plans to develop an action plan by December 31, 2024. GAO will monitor and report on FAA's efforts regarding this recommendation.
Federal Aviation Administration The Administrator of FAA should identify the quality information and performance metrics the agency needs to track progress toward the goals it identifies for the international validations process and how it will collect that information, which may include changes to agency data systems or dashboards. (Recommendation 2)
Open
In its May 2024 180-day letter, DOT concurred with this recommendation and said FAA has identified the quality information needed to establish performance metrics to track progress towards the performance goals. FAA continues to enhance its international validation dashboards, develop guidance materials, and provide outreach to staff responsible for validations projects. FAA has also identified the additional process, data, and working tracking systems updates needed to gather and track the information for validation projects. FAA plans to establish performance metrics for all validation types. Finally, FAA plans to develop additional guidance material is planned by September 30, 2024, and upgrade its work tracking systems by April 30, 2025. GAO will monitor and report on FAA's efforts regarding this recommendation.

Commercial Space Transportation: FAA Should Improve Its Mishap Investigation Process

GAO-24-105561
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Aviation Administration The Administrator of FAA should direct the Office of Commercial Space Transportation to develop criteria for determining when the agency will authorize a launch operator to lead a mishap investigation on FAA's behalf. (Recommendation 1)
Open
FAA concurred with the recommendation. In its April 2024 180-day letter, FAA noted that, pursuant to FAA regulations, the agency authorizes all licensed vehicle and site operators to lead mishap investigations for incidents occurring within the scope of their license. These regulations require vehicle and site operators to document how they intend to investigate mishaps that occur within the scope of their license. The FAA also provides guidance to operators in FAA advisory circular 450.173-1 "Mishap Plan - Reporting, Response, and Investigation Requirements", published August 12, 2021. The 180-day letter also specific that the FAA has determined this approach is the best use of government resources, leads to promoting safety due to no recurrence of failures, and allows the industry to innovate at their own pace. FAA has requested closure of this recommendation, and we are reviewing materials to arrive at a decision on that request.
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