Survey Reveals Gaps in Inspector Training
September 01, 2005
A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report (GAO 05-728) examines FAA efforts to ensure that its inspectors receive adequate technical training needed to do their jobs. It includes a GAO analysis of the inspector training program, and the results of a survey of FAA inspectors. The GAO generally approved of the FAA’s achievements but stressed the need for better evaluation of the effects of training on inspector performance. The results of the survey, however, painted a very different picture.
The FAA inspectors surveyed generally felt they did not receive adequate technical training. The FAA’s own data shows that less than half of FAA inspectors have completed at least 75% of essential technical courses. Only slightly more than half of the inspectors surveyed said that they thought they had enough technical knowledge to do the job. Almost 60% said their training was delivered in a timely manner “to some or no extent.”
GAO consulted ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod and VP-Operations Paul Hawthorne in preparing the report, which is entitled Aviation Safety: FAA Management Practices for Technical Training Mostly Effective; Further Actions Could Enhance Results.
More from ARSA
On Demand Workshop – Administrative Agencies
July 28, 2026 | Categories:
ARSA News & Updates, ARSA Works, FAA, Maintenance, Operations, Regulatory, Training
The recording of ARSA’s special workshop overviewing the construction and authorities of American administrative agencies is now available on demand. The resource was presented to FAA personnel as part of…Read More
Push Congress to Invest in Skills Training
ARSA members with U.S. facilities are encouraged to support a Business Leaders United letter to support a letter from employers with U.S. facilities urging congressional leaders to invest in skills…Read MoreConvincing FAA of its D&A Authority
July 28, 2026 | Categories:
Act Now, ARSA News & Updates, ARSA Works, Aviation Policy, Drug and Alcohol, EASA, FAA, Legislative, Operations, Press Releases, Regulatory, Rulemaking
As the FAA reported at the 2026 FAA/EASA International Safety Conference in June, the agency’s Drug Abatement Division continues its work on implementation guidance for new drug and alcohol testing…Read More
