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 proposal for user fees, intended to fund the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS), faces criticism from general aviation groups due to a lack of a detailed plan, deadlines, or cost estimates for NGATS itself.
- The Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO), responsible for NGATS, has failed to provide a clear implementation strategy, leading to congressional and industry skepticism.
- While some support the goal of a more efficient airspace, the article suggests that airport and runway limitations are a greater cause of air traffic delays than a lack of ATC modernization.
- The author cautions against linking user fees to NGATS funding before the system is clearly defined, drawing parallels to past unfulfilled promises of modernization for higher taxes.
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