ATC and
Next Gen
Currently the
United states Air traffic control system runs on government owned systems that
is very outdated. The system they use is TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach
Control) which is a ground based radar system that was used almost 50 years
ago. This old system has caused airspace overload and higher costs ("Next
Gen-Air Traffic Modernization",2017). The Next Gen system will be a
satellite system that allows aircraft to fly more direct routes. The system
will use global positioning system (GPS) which will allow for a more accurate
depiction of the aircraft location. Next Gen will save travel costs and delays
for passengers (Next Gen-Air Traffic Modernization",2017).
General Aviation
would reach out against privatization because if ATC becomes private, costs
will go up to maintain aircraft. Privatization will allow the ATC to have an
inflow of money which will help with making Next Gen a reality. General aviation
aircraft will have to be upgraded which can cost on average 5000 dollars for a
system such as ADS-B ("NextGen For General Aviation",2015). General
Aviation is not concerned with delay of flights or flight patterns. GA pilots
just want to fly their plane for cheap and for fun. The Global Business Travel
Association (GBTA) is in favor of the switch to Next Gen. The main concern they
have is the reduction in flight delays that Next Gen can fix ("Next
Gen-Air Traffic Modernization",2017). The National Air Traffic Controllers
Association is also in favor due to the fact it will make the job a lot less
stressful. Majority of airlines in the US are for privation except delta who
believes that the current system is safe and efficient.
To privatize ATC,
a bill has to be passed through the house and the senate. Currently trump is in
favor for the privatization. There has been a lot of backlash from the senate however.
They state it will not save money due to how large the system is. The Trump Administration
is expected to privatize the system if it can pass the house and the senate
("Trump Could Privatize Nation's air traffic controllers", 2016).
A country that
has a Private ATC system is Canada. Canada's system is ran by NAV Canada which
is not a government organization. This allows the Canadian system to have an
increase in technology with more resources that can help with costs and safety
in a shorter period of time. The system works very well in Canada but is stated
that the same system would not work well in the US due to the much larger
airspace. (Financial Post, 2016).
Yes I feel the
ATC system would be more efficient if privatized because it will allow for
further technology development. An increase in technology will only help lower
delays, fuel costs, and system repair costs. Privatization will help in the goal
of implementing Next Gen. Next Gen will only help reduce delays, fuel costs,
and will get rid of an old system.
References
Air Traffic Control Modernization. (2017). Retrieved January 27,
2017, from
https://www.gbta.org/usa/governmentrelations/Pages/NextGen%E2%80%93AirTrafficControlModernization.aspx
Trump could privatize nation's air
traffic controllers. (2016, December 08). Retrieved January 27, 2017, from
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-airtraffic-idUSKBN13X19W
Avionics Today. (n.d.). Retrieved
January 27, 2017, from
http://www.aviationtoday.com/av/issue/feature/NextGen-for-General-Aviation-Addressing-Cost-Modernizing-and-Improving-Safety_84762.html
Owram, K. (n.d.). U.S. looks to
Canadian model as it debates air-traffic-control privatization. Retrieved
January 27, 2017, from
http://business.financialpost.com/news/transportation/u-s-looks-to-canadian-model-as-it-debates-air-traffic-control-privatization
Greetings,
ReplyDeleteI would first like to say that I enjoyed reading your response and I felt it answered all the questions in a succinct, accurate, and eloquent manner. I whole-heartedly concur with your sentiments regarding the fact that our current ATC is outdated and cost-inefficient; I firmly believe the time has come for a technological change to be implemented within our ATC system, which I hope can be achieved with the inception of NextGen technology. By using NextGen, flight routes will be more direct, consequently saving the airlines money on fuel, and the passengers money and time. Albeit most of the traveling public is not cognizant the current ATC system is (and has been) outdated (since they view the system as efficient as they are on the outside looking in), we, as an integral component of the industry, know/understand the true beneficence of the impending NextGen technology.
As you mentioned, I too found information regarding General Aviation’s opposing stance to the privatization of ATC primarily due to the funding required for their aircraft to become compliant with the subsequent regulations privatization will bring. Furthermore, if privatization occurs, the General Aviation sector will slowly diminish as their services will no longer be required and priority of airspace, monies, and other parameters will be given to the airlines (who are strongly in favor of privatization except for Delta Airlines). I also agree with your statement regarding President Trump’s administration privatizing ATC if they can get the bill to pass in both houses. However, I believe the privatization of ATC is still at least 12 months or more down the line since the bill has not made it to the House floor yet (where it originated with Representative Bill Schuster).
Lastly, I noticed we shared a similar stance regarding the efficiency of ATC privatization within the United States; it seems we both agree that if the United States were to privatize ATC, then our ATC system and airspace would be more efficient and safe. However, in the fourth paragraph of your response you stated how NAV Canada has shown tremendous strides in their air safety since the inception of privatization, but in the same sentence you mention their system does not constitute an accurate benchmark for the United States since our air traffic volume is much greater (approx. three times) that of Canada’s. Thus, I must ask, how you know the privatization of our ATC will prove to be just as, or more efficient, than that of akin countries (e.g. Canada) when little research and/or thorough studies have been conducted pertaining to the safety or efficiency of a privatized airspace as large (voluminous) as that of the United States.
Great points and articulation of those points; keep up the great work!
This is a great blog, and you touched on many good points as well. We are both in agreement on the stances for GA and airlines when it comes to NextGen. Obviously it will be hard for smaller aircraft to incorporate such expensive equipment. As for the airlines side of things, they just want a faster and smoother flow of traffic. Time is money, and they can save a ton of money with better systems in place.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Trump may be in favor of privatization, i don't see many changes occurring while he is in office. One because his top priorities lie elsewhere, and second, because the current system, although it is outdated, is indeed working. With such a complex system, this will not be something that changes anytime soon. We are talking at least years, if it ever happens at all. My only hope is that we improve the technology from a safety and efficiency standpoint. The top priority is that everyone is safe.