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Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program

Report Information

Date Issued
Report Number
2025-17552
Report Type
Audit
Description
The Office of the Inspector General performed an audit of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program due to the increased use of unmanned aircraft in TVA operations.  Our audit objectives were to determine if TVA's (1) UAS Program was in compliance with applicable federal requirements and (2) use of unmanned aircraft was in compliance with applicable TVA policies.  Our audit scope included TVA's use of unmanned aircraft from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. In general, we determined TVA's (1) UAS Program complied with applicable federal requirements and (2) use of unmanned aircraft complied with applicable TVA policies.  However, we determined 2 of 64 pilots did not have the remote pilot certificate required to operate UAS.  We made one recommendation to management to address verification of remote pilot certificates.
Joint Report
No
Agency Wide
Yes (agency-wide)
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0
View report on Oversight.gov

Recommendations

We recommend the Vice President, Safety and Shared Services, update TVA’s Standard Program and Process 10.011, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program, to require Aviation Services to confirm and maintain documentation of remote pilot certificates for all pilots participating in the program.