NextGen

By the beginning of early 2014 Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) will change how flights are operated and controlled in our National Airspace.  According to the FAA the purpose for this new integrated system is to be able to guide and track air traffic more precisely, and efficiently in order to reduce noise and pollution and also to save fuel.  NextGen has been built upon "four major pillars" economic impact, sustainability, flexibility, and safety.

1.) For me first and for most I think that safety is probably the most important of the four pillars.  With the policies and procedures that's being implemented  it was produced to ensure that the U.S. air transportation systems will remain the safest.  Live updated weather and airspace status information will be directly delivered to the cockpit which allows operators to make safe and better decisions.

2.) Sustainability and Economic Impact would have to be the next two important pillars.  NextGen will play a huge role in helping to better our global environment.  It will reduce fuel burn and decrease carbon dioxide and the aircraft exhaust emissions that can harmfully impact the air quality.  With us taken care of our environment in can also better our economy.  The U.S. economy is strongly dependent on the aviation industry.  Civil aviation nearly contributed to 1.3 trillion dollars annually to the national economy.  With the economic growth always a main concern for many citizens  NextGen will sustain the growth of aviation and will add more then 10 million jobs.

3.) Flexibility:  NextGen technologies and procedures are helping restore flexibility to the air transportation system.  Performance Based Navigation (PBN) will allow aircraft's to no longer have to rely on ground based systems.  With PBN it allows more direct, fuel efficient routes and provides alternatives for routing around bad weather, or unexpected congestion.

NextGens funding sources are not guaranteed.  According to the FAA NextGen expenses coming from its budget could reach anywhere from 15-25 billion dollars by 2025.  The Obama administration is now is working on these funds by requesting a 275 million dollar or increasing the funds by 30 percent.