The Future of the “Next Generation Air Transportation System”

October 23, 2011
Tech 3020
By: Joel Borton

The Future of the Next Generation Air Transportation System

Since the Wright brother’s first flight over Kitty Hawk 108 years ago, the accomplishments of the human race in aerospace have been nothing short of miraculous. The United States aerospace and aviation industry has developed into a crucial element of the global infrastructure. It is an industry that moves people and goods quickly and virtually anywhere in the world. However, aerospace and aviation is an industry at risk. While there may be a temporary pause given the current economy, the steady increase in …show more content…

Which will help the stress level lower immensely as well.

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast This system is one of the newest additions to the NextGen system. They have already put this part into effect over the Gulf of Mexico as of December 2009 and are having outstanding results. It’s purpose is to make it possible for air traffic control services to be offered in an area of active airspace where surveillance has never before been possible by using Satellite-based Aircraft Tracking Systems.

Weather Not only will NextGen be able to get people from place to place quicker, they are saying it will cut down on delays due to the NextGen Network Enabled Weather component of the new system. Weather is such an important factor in the aviation world. The satellite-based control system will provide a common weather picture across the national airspace system, which will be integrated into the other key components of NextGen required to enable better air transportation decision-making, and to improve weather forecasts. This will minimize airspace limitations and traffic restrictions. When the system minimizes, decrease in delays and increases in safety become two of the main benefits with NextGen. The FAA goes on to says that the United States air traffic system normally handles about 50,000 flights per day, and in the first half of 2008 more than 25 percent were either late