Slamming the FAA over its made-for-airlines user fee scheme is quite fashionable right now among the various general aviation alphabet soup organizations. Although nothing on the horizon could do as much damage to general aviation, its important to understand an underlying reason the FAA gives for its user-fee proposal is to fund the Next Generation Air Transportation System, or NGATS. One of NGATSs stated objectives is to develop an ATC system using “modern technology and state-of-the-art procedures to handle increases in the volume of air traffic.” But there isnt a detailed plan for NGATS we can analyze, see what were supposed to be getting in exchange for higher taxes and make recommendations. Its like being asked to sign up for a mail-order spouse without a close-up photo. To design and integrate NGATS, Congress in 2003 created the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO), consisting of elements from the FAA and other federal agencies. In late 2004, the JPDO released its integrated plan, a 40-page document filled with new-age terms like “transformation strategies,” “capability to reduce weather impacts,” “cross-strategy linkage” and a stated desire to “harmonize equipage and operations globally.” 288
Cart, Meet Horse
Slamming the FAA over its made-for-airlines user fee scheme is quite fashionable right now among the various general aviation alphabet soup organizations. Although nothing on the horizon could do as much damage to general aviation, its important to understand an underlying reason the FAA gives for its user-fee proposal is to fund the Next Generation Air Transportation System, or NGATS.
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA proposes user fees for general aviation to fund the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS), despite the notable absence of a clear, detailed plan, budget, or timelines for its implementation.
- Both general aviation groups and Congress have expressed significant concern over the lack of specific details regarding NGATS's objectives and how it will be realized.
- The article contends that actual air traffic delays are primarily caused by insufficient airport and runway capacity, rather than a lack of modern air traffic control technology.
- The author criticizes the FAA for prioritizing securing NGATS funding through user fees over clearly defining the system, likening it to past unfulfilled promises of modernization in exchange for higher taxes.
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