GAO Criticizes FAA Designee Oversight Efforts

Inconsistent and incomplete FAA oversight of its designee programs limits the agency’s ability to ensure designees perform their work according to federal standards, according to a recent study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The GAO said the FAA needs to develop a better mechanism to improve oversight compliance and upgrade its databases to provide complete and consistent information. Despite its criticism, the GAO said it did not find a direct link between inconsistent oversight and specific safety problems.