Government Watchdog Cites Safety, ATC Modernization as Top FAA Challenges | Aviation International News

Watchdog Cites Safety, ATC Updates as Top FAA Challenges

Safety was a common challenge across transportation modes

Jianhua Liu, Andrew Schneider, Chris Deputy — Embry‑Riddle researchers Jianhua Liu and Andrew Schneider are using AI to improve radio communications between pilots and air traffic controllers. Liu and Schneider are pictured with lead flight supervisor Chris Deputy (left) in the Flight Supervisor Tower. © Embry‑Riddle/Melanie Stawicki Azam

By Kerry Lynch • Editor, AIN monthly magazine

January 8, 2026

A government watchdog this week cited aviation safety and air traffic control modernization as two of the top management challenges confronting the FAA. The Department of Transportation Inspector General (DOT IG) releases a list of top management challenges facing the various agencies within the department every year, evaluating safety impacts, established vulnerabilities, fiscal accountability, and the DOT’s ability to effect change, it said.

Safety was a common theme among all of the transportation modes, and for the FAA, the DOT IG pointed to recent aviation accidents, runway incursions, mechanical failures, and the Jan. 29, 2025 midair collision in Washington, D.C. These events, it said, “continue to keep serious safety concerns at the forefront.”

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Wyvern Pushing Safety as Hot Topic during NBAA-BACE

Wyvern COO Andy Day is incoming chair of NBAA’s safety committee

Changing the Gotta-land-it Mindset

Runway overruns cut across aircraft types and crews

Falcon on runway

MD Onboard Absorbs STAT-MD’s Aviation Services

Move creates a major force in aviation medicine consulting

MD Onboard control center

Confusion Reigns after FAA Drops Single-pilot Exemption

Questions arising over FAA's review of pertinent accidents

Article preview image

AINsight: Does Pilot Flight Time Equate to Competency?

Not all logged flight hours are created equal

Pilots in cockpit

FAA Rescinding Cessna Citation Single-pilot Exemptions

Action comes after a review found widespread noncompliance and safety issues

Citation jet bird strike through flock of birds

Thales Opens Center To Elevate Safety Culture

Facility initially serves Bordeaux campus but will expand to other locations

Thales Flight Safety Center

FAA Floats Allowing Jet Pilots To Forgo Wearing O2 Masks

Part 91 pilots would not have to wear masks ‘just in case,’ while 135 rules would allow higher altitudes

Cessna Citation 560 business jet accident