ISSUE: Air Transportation Modernization
The United States is the world leader in air transportation and boasts the safest air traffic
control system in the world. Dramatic improvements, however, are needed to keep pace with
the additional demands that are continually placed on our aging air traffic system.
Fortunately, the technology needed to prepare the system to meet the challenges and opportunities
of the 21st Century is either available or within reach. Global positioning satellites provide
precise definition of location anywhere in the world, reliably and inexpensively. Data-link
technology brings a wealth of information into the cockpit of modern aircraft. Small, fast
and highly reliable computers provide safe and efficient flight management. Investment in
these technologies will enhance safety, security, efficiency and capacity. It will also lead
to better use of limited FAA resources.
Free Flight
Issue: Free Flight, a concept developed by RTCA in cooperation with NBAA,
FAA and the entire aviation community, is key to enhancing the safety, security, efficiency
and capacity of the nation’s aviation system.
Position: NBAA advocates accelerated investment in the following technologies,
which are critical components of the Free Flight concept:
- Free Flight Phase II – Deployment of elements contained within Free Flight Phase
II is needed to pave the way for full implementation of the Free Flight concept.
- User Request Evaluation Tool - automatically predicts and notifies controllers of conflicts
between aircraft or special activity airspace. By allowing controllers to evaluate route
change requests and to assign conflict free routing, the airspace users are able to save
both time and fuel.
- Traffic Management Advisor – TMA helps controllers optimize traffic flow into airports
and efficiently use available runways and surrounding airspace.
- Center TRACON Automation System (CTAS) Terminal - CTAS is the combination of Traffic
Management Advisor (TMA) and passive Final Approach Spacing Tool (pFAST), increasing arrival
acceptance and efficiency of air traffic operations in airspace surrounding major airports.
- Collaborative Decision-Making – provides a real-time exchange of data to facilitate
better collaboration in managing aircraft traffic.
- Surface Movement Advisor – provides real-time information for better management
of runway and taxiway space.
- Satellite-Based Navigation and Landing Systems – Moving from a ground-based navigation
and landing system to a satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) will increase safety,
efficiency and capacity.
- The Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and the Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS)
will augment the GPS signal for accuracy, integrity and continuity.
- Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) can provide more precise knowledge
of aircraft positions based upon aircraft broadcasts.
- Loran C – Loran C should be maintained to provide a coordinate-based form of navigation
as a reliable backup system for GPS. While NBAA has complete confidence that a satellite-based
air traffic management system is safe and efficient, we believe that some backup navigation
system is required.
- By using Loran C, the FAA will be able to phase out older, short-range navigation systems
such as VORs and NDBs, which are costly to maintain.
- Data Link – Data link has dramatically improved interaction between pilots and
controllers. A robust controller-pilot data link facilitates the exchange of information
regarding air traffic, weather, special use airspace, terrain data base and flight services
between aircraft and ground systems. In addition, it enhances collaborative decision-making.
- Aviation Weather Research – Weather research must continue to be pursued in order
to take advantage of developing information technology. The Department of Transportation
has proposed reduced funding for weather research that will significantly delay needed technologies.
- National Airspace Redesign – If efforts to implement Free Flight are to be successful,
continued attention must be given to the National Airspace Redesign and the FAA Operational
Evolution Plan (OEP). NBAA continues to play an active role in that process through its
work with the RTCA.
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