DOT IG Chides FAA Over ATC Uncertainty

DOT Inspector General Calvin Scovel III told attendees of a House Committee on Science and Technology hearing last month that “developing NextGen is one of the biggest challenges facing the FAA. It is a high-risk effort involving billion-dollar investments.” Scovel chided the agency because ATC modernization costs still “remain uncertain…and much work remains to establish requirements, determine steps to deliver NextGen capabilities and develop realistic transition plans.” The DOT watchdog said the FAA needs to establish priorities; focus attention on technology-transfer issues; relieve already congested airports; and examine what can reasonably be implemented in given time increments.