1. The current ATC is a very outdated system that has been in use since the 1960s. The system is divided into 21 areas. Each area is guarded by 5 divisions; Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC), Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), Flight Service Station (FSS) and the Air Traffic Control Tower. The aircraft's use transponders to bounce off their whereabouts to each division so aircraft can be properly managed, The system works but again it is very outdated. However, there is an issue with people having trouble with radio frequencies and staying in solid contact between ATC and the aircraft. NextGen is obviously satellite based but what it was provide is digital communications which can and will provide better communication between all aircraft and ATC.
2. General Aviation is strongly against the idea because they would lose a lot of their power when ti came tot he use of airspace. It would be privately controlled by a company and there would be no say in what the General Aviation aviators would want. Airlines would have priority over any other type of aviation when in part airlines is just a part of aviation and not the whole picture.
3. In 1996, Nav Canada was implemented in the country and has been governed by its board of directors ever since its creation. It has been widely successful since its creation and has also seen an increase of air traffic since it has been implemented.
4. Congress is going to have to approve the privatization of ATC because it being associated with the FAA. There would have to be extensive lobbying for it and the bill would need to prove that it is worth being done and that it would be safe. With Canada being a great example of privatization, I believe we should follow their example and lobby hard for a bill to privatize. It will be useful and would provide more safety for air traffic with the digitized. I also think that if it is privatized that General Aviation will also come along and support it after it goes through. It will all take some time though and people would have to learn a whole new system It will not be a perfect switch but in the long run it will be beneficial in many different facets.
Work Cited
Mark, Robert. "Canada's Private ATC System Offers Alternative for Cost-cutting Nations." Aviation International News. N.p., 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 27 Jan. 2017.
Carey, Bill. "FAA Declares Steady Progress on NextGen ATC Modernization."Aviation International News. N.p., 24 Oct. 2016. Web. 27 Jan. 2017.
I also believe that it is going to take some time to the new ATC system to run smoothly if it does get passed by congress in the future. I also believe that our current system is very outdated and needs to be revised! Great Blog Scott.
ReplyDeleteScott, I like the point you made when talking about NextGen's digital communication. This was something I didn't touch upon, but it indeed is another benefit that would come from NextGen. The frustrating thing in my opinion, is that NextGen is taking the path that previous projects have taken before, and keeps getting delayed and delayed. With such a complex system that we would be implementing for the busiest airspace in the world, I'm beginning to wonder if NextGen will ever become a reality.
ReplyDeleteI also like how you touched on how Canada has had a successful system even though they are privatized. I'm not exactly sure how it would play out here if we were to implement a privatized air traffic control program, but I honestly hope it doesn't come to that. All that needs to happen is for the FAA's budget to get approved so they can start setting a time table up for NextGen. This is a system that is still obviously a few years out, so things need to be set up before hand so it can play out as smoothly as possible. Should be an interesting next few years that's for sure!
I agree with your statement that the U.S should follow the example of Canada's ATC system. Their system seems to be efficient and self sufficient. The benefits of NextGen will save the country a lot of money and perhaps be even more safe than our current system. As you said there will not be a perfect switch but will be worth it in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI read an editorial by The New York Times that claimed ATC privatization did not work so well for Britain, and that at one point the government had to bail their private ATC operator. Do you think that this would be the case here in the U.S if privatization occurs?
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