What GAO Found Manufacturers are developing fully electric and hybrid-electric aircraft, mostly for short-range and medium-range flying. These aircraft vary widely in design. Some require a runway for takeoff, while others take off vertically, for example, from the top of a building. They also have a wide variety of potential uses, including air taxi service and cargo transport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other entities have also researched technologies that could potentially enable longer-range uses and broader deployment of electric aircraft in the future. Examples of Potential Uses for Electric Aircraft The infrastructure to support electric aircraft at U.S. airports is currently limited. According to FAA, as of December 2025, 47 airports have identified charging stations for electric aircraft in airport plans. The majority of these airports are part of the manufacturer BETA Technologies’ network of charging stations. According to FAA officials and selected stakeholders, airports face a variety of challenges related to installing infrastructure for electric aircraft, including cost, uncertainty about demand, and availability of reliable electricity. As of March 2026, FAA is evaluating electric aircraft and engine designs for certification on a case-by-case basis, but is considering regulatory changes, such as developing dedicated airworthiness standards for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, that could standardize its approach to evaluating these products in the long term. Stakeholders described challenges with FAA’s approach, including insufficient FAA staff with expertise in electric propulsion and limited standardization in the certification process. According to FAA officials, they have hired engineers in disciplines such as propulsion, and deployed experienced personnel as needed to emerging technology areas. However, ensuring that planned skill gap assessments are quantitative and include all mission-critical occupations, as GAO recommended in 2021, would help FAA better understand the skills its workforce needs to respond to technological changes. Why GAO Did This Study Electric propulsion aircraft have the potential to lower operating costs, increase access to air service for regional airports, and reduce environmental impacts and noise from aviation. However, FAA has not yet issued a type certification for a manned electric aircraft as of March 2026, and when such aircraft will be able to commercially operate is not clear. Section 1012 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 includes a provision for GAO to assess the safe and scalable operation and integration of electric aircraft into the National Airspace System. This report describes (1) the types and uses of electric aircraft in development; (2) the extent of infrastructure deployed at U.S. airports to support electric aircraft, and any challenges airports face in deploying infrastructure; and (3) FAA’s approach to certificating the airworthiness of electric aircraft designs, and related challenges identified by aviation industry stakeholders. GAO analyzed literature on electric aircraft published between 2019 and 2024 and used information from these studies to supplement testimonial evidence from interviews with aviation industry stakeholders and federal officials. GAO also analyzed public information on government and industry efforts to develop electric aircraft. GAO interviewed officials from FAA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Laboratory of the Rockies, and a nongeneralizable selection of 30 aviation industry stakeholders, including aircraft and engine manufacturers, airports, fixed-base operators, state departments of transportation, and a flight training school. Eight interviews were conducted as part of site visits to Washington State and Ohio. For more information, contact Derrick Collins at CollinsD@gao.gov.

What GAO Found In May 2025, GAO identified 29 priority recommendations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Since then, VA has implemented two of those recommendations. In May 2026, GAO identified an additional 3 priority recommendations, bringing the total to 30. GAO is highlighting the following three areas that warrant timely and focused attention: Improving quality and timely access to health care, Modernizing information technology, and Enhancing acquisition management. Addressing GAO's recommendations in these areas would help VA respond to risks that could interfere with the quality and timeliness of veterans' health care; achieve cost savings and better oversee information technology efforts; and address challenges with its high-risk acquisition management. Taking action to implement all of GAO's open priority recommendations would help enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations across VA. Why GAO Did This Study Priority open recommendations are the GAO recommendations that warrant priority attention from heads of key departments or agencies because their implementation could save large amounts of money; improve congressional and/or executive branch decision-making on major issues; eliminate mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or make progress toward addressing a high risk or duplication issue, among other benefits. Since 2015, GAO has sent letters to selected agencies to highlight the importance of implementing such recommendations. For more information, contact Jess Farb at farbj@gao.gov.