What is NextGen? Next Generation
Air Transportation System, or NextGen, will
change how flights are operated and managed in the National Airspace System
(NAS). It will improve safety, reduce
delays, and save fuel. It is already
being implemented, with enhancements to satellite navigation and digital communications. In class this week, we are discussing the “four
major pillars” of NextGen. These
include: economic impact,
sustainability, flexibility and safety.
Of these four major pillars, which ones (in order) are most important
to me?
- Safety. First and foremost, safety should be the number one priority in aviation. The new NextGen systems are designed to make the NAS the safest in the world. Satellite based navigation provides far more accuracy than ground based stations. Weather and airspace data will be real-time, providing pilots and crew with much needed information.
- Economic Impact. The United States economy is always of concern. Many citizens are worried about the future of our economy, and how we can generate more jobs. NextGen technologies will enable airlines to burn less fuel and operate more efficiently, all while adding more than 10 million jobs.
- Sustainability. We, as the human race, need to take care of our environment. NextGen will help improve the global environment, by reducing fuel burn and decreasing aircraft exhaust emissions. Some of these new technologies will allow aircraft to operate more quietly, making airports more neighborhood friendly.
- Flexibility. With NextGen technology, aircraft will no longer have to rely on ground based systems. With satellite-based navigation, operators will have more options when travelling within the National Airspace System. PBN, or Performance Based Navigation, allows more direct, fuel friendly flights.
How are we paying for NextGen technology? The U.S. government is handling most of the
cost today. However, the government is
proposing “User Fees” to help with the rising expenses. How should these fees be applied, if the
government passes a bill? I think it
should be based on how much you use the NAS, and what type of aircraft you
fly. The entire general aviation
population should not have to pay the same user fees. The President has proposed a $100-per-flight
fee on commercial and general aviation, which I believe will negatively impact the
industry.
How will NextGen affect my career?
Once I reach the airlines, I strongly believe we will rely on NextGen
technology every day. We already see
much of this technology being used today, especially with GPS navigation and
instrument approaches. Due to rising
costs, Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) will be replaced by WAAS (Wide Area
Augmentation System) and LPV (Localizer Performance with Vertical Navigation). LPV provides the same accuracy as ILS, with minimums
as low as 200 feet AGL. VOR, or Very High
Frequency Omnidirectional Range, will be replaced by satellites. Highways in the sky will be altered forever. So may argue the reliability of GPS,
especially with solar flare disruptions.
I think technology will overcome this challenge, and increase reliability
in the near future. It will take some time,
but this is the beginning of what is to come.
I agree safety is the focus of the new systems.
ReplyDeleteIs it true that LPV has the same accuracy as ILS? I understand ILS is less accurate at greater distances from the station, whereas with LPV we have yet to see any Category II or III type capability.
LPV has similar minima to ILS, with the exception of CAT II and III.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your plan for user fees, instead of the standard charge per flight it needs to be based on the type of aircraft being flown.
ReplyDeleteInteresting about solar flares...when I worked at Kitty Hawk International and we dispatched flights across the specific that were GPS capable, we had to run a test for each flight that would test GPS reliability based on atmospheric disruptions along that route of flight. When the test would come back "unreliable", we had to select a different route. Perhaps the same methods would be in place with NextGen?
ReplyDelete