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 FAA's next-generation air traffic control system, consists of five transformational technologies, with elements like GPS LPV approaches, RNAV routes, and En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) already operational.
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is central to NextGen, with a mandate for ADS-B Out equipage likely by 2020 for specific airspace and critical infrastructure rollouts planned for 2010.
The FAA is adopting a "Best-Equipped, Best-Served" (BEBS) policy, which will offer operational advantages such as preferred routing or access to ADS-B equipped aircraft, potentially affecting non-equipped pilots.
While components like System-Wide Information Management (SWIM) are still in development, 2010 is pivotal, with full NextGen deployment anticipated by 2025.

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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.