|
|
 
Agency Budget Summary
Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
I. Resource Summary
II. Methodology
- The drug budget is based on the number of workyears dedicated to drug-related activities resulting from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) action.
III. Program Summary
- The FAA was created by the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended. It controls the use of navigable airspace, develops and operates a common system of air traffic control and navigation for civil and military aircraft, regulates air commerce, and coordinates research and development that pertains to air navigation facilities.
- The FAA assists in identifying airborne drug smugglers by using radar, posting aircraft lookouts, and tracking the movement of suspect aircraft.
- The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 mandated that FAA assist law enforcement agencies "in the enforcement of laws relating to the regulation of controlled substances, to the extent consistent with aviation safety."
- The FAA drug-related programs primarily address the areas of drug prevention, interdiction, investigations, and research.
- Drug Testing: Each year, the FAA conducts preemployment testing of all applicants for safety/security functions, as well as random drug testing of 25 percent of all employees in safety/security critical positions.
- Interdiction: These efforts include the development and correlation of flight plans and transponder codes to enhance communications between air route traffic control centers andU.S. Customs/Coast Guard facilities. This enhanced communication also assists in identifying airborne drug smugglers by using radar to cover aircraft lookouts, and tracking the movement of suspect aircraft.
- Intergovernmental Assistance: FAA has in place a drug interdiction unit to provide assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies engaged in the investigation and interdiction of drug smuggling by general aviation aircraft.
- Airmen and Aircraft Registry Program Improvements: This program will improve the registration process of general aviation aircraft and the certification process of airmen.
IV. Budget Summary
1999 Program
- The FY 1999 budget provides $25.2 million in drug-related resources to the FAA.
Goal 3: Reduce health and social costs to the public of illegal drug use.
- $4.0 million to provide for random drug testing of approximately 25 percent of employees who are designated to be in safety/security-critical positions.
- $4.8 million to support FAA regulatory oversight of the anti-drug and alcohol misuse prevention programs administered by approximately 5,000 aviation industry entities and individual commercial operators.
- $1.0 million to support the analysis of post-mortem tissues and fluids from transportation accidents/incidents and assess the effects of drugs on performance of pilot and controller tasks.
Goal 4: Shield America's air, land, and sea frontiers from the drug threat.
- $6.8 million to support the development and correlation of flight plans and transponder codes to enhance communications between air route traffic control centers and U.S. Customs facilities.
- $1.9 million to support the FAA's Drug Investigation Support units.
- $6.6 million to support investigations in the Registry program, as well as improved registration of aircraft and certification of airmen.
2000 Request
- The FY 2000 request for the FAA totals $26.4 million and 223 FTE. The request reflects a net increase of $1.2 million and 5 FTE over FY 1999 levels.
Goal 3: Reduce health and social costs to the public of illegal drug use.
- $4.2 million to provide for drug testing of employees who are designated to be in safety/security-critical positions.
- $5.1 million to support FAA regulatory oversight of the anti-drug and alcohol misuse prevention programs administered by approximately 5,000 aviation industry entities and individual commercial operators.
- $1.1 million to support aeromedical research.
Goal 4: Shield America's air, land, and sea frontiers from the drug threat.
- $6.8 million to develop and correlate flight plans and transponder codes to enhance communications between air route traffic control centers and U.S. Customs/Coast Guard C3I facilities.
- $2.4 million to the investigative support provided to all federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies involved in drug enforcement actions. This effort is the responsibility of the Drug Investigations/Support Units established in 12 locations throughout the U.S.
- $6.8 million for the re-registration of aircraft and the periodic renewal of pilot certificates.
V. Program Accomplishments
- The FAA continues to support the Administration's counterdrug efforts in drug prevention, interdiction, intelligence and research.
|
