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's proposed user fees for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS) are criticized because NGATS lacks a detailed plan, specific deadlines, or cost estimates.
- The Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO), created to develop NGATS, is disorganized, behind schedule in defining agency roles, and has failed to provide clear answers on the system's implementation.
- The article suggests that actual air traffic delays are more often due to insufficient airport infrastructure and high airliner traffic than a lack of air traffic control modernization, questioning the premise for NGATS.
- General aviation groups are urged to be wary of supporting undefined modernization efforts through user fees, citing past instances where such promises failed to materialize after tax increases.
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