Sorting Out NextGen

With high expectations, we set out to bring you a comprehensive report on those parts of NextGen-the next generation of air traffic control-that are now up and running. Intensive internet research plus interviews with many FAA controllers, FAA engineers, vendors, consultants and even FAA administrator Randy Babbitt, showed otherwise.

Fred Simonds

Tuesday, December 02, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

NextGen, the next generation of air traffic control, is still largely under development despite high expectations, with some key components like GPS WAAS LPV approaches, RNAV routes, ASDE-X, and the expanding ERAM already operational.
The core technology, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), is partially available, and a mandate for ADS-B Out equipage by 2020 for specific airspaces is anticipated, with 2010 being a pivotal year for its rollout decisions and infrastructure build-out.
The FAA plans to implement a "Best-Equipped, Best-Served" (BEBS) philosophy, favoring ADS-B equipped aircraft with operational benefits, a concept that raises concerns about fair access, controller training, and implementation complexities.

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With high expectations, we set out to bring you a comprehensive report on those parts of NextGen—the next generation of air traffic control—that are now up and running. Intensive internet research plus interviews with many FAA controllers, FAA engineers, vendors, consultants and even FAA administrator Randy Babbitt, showed otherwise.

Underneath the hype, NextGen really consists of five transformational technologies, only some of which are defined, let alone up and running. Here’s our best stab at NextGen’s status today and what we can expect in 2010.