Trump to announce plan to privatize air traffic control: reports

thehill.com ^ | 6/4/17 | Brandon Carter

[so_real]

I like it. Let "We the People" have private input into the "shall not fly" list.

[noiseman]

"I wonder if retaining the ground radar infrastructure as a backup would be prudent considering that GPS is satellite-based and at least one competitor country seems to have made progress in its ability to zap our satellites."

That's already part of the plan. There is a separate working group planning for "system resiliency." One of the considerations is just as you describe, the potential for an adversary to take out part or all of the GPS satellite constellation. The intent is to maintain an adequate number of surveillance radar, VOR, DME, ILS installations to enable at least basic system functionality in the event of a crisis.

I am involved in the NextGen initiative from the airport side. NextGen will truly bring a revolution in efficiency and predictability, if we can streamline the effort and make the design and implementation process more collaborative and airport/airspace specific, rather than everything being directed top-down from FAA headquarters. It is that one-size-fits-all approach, directed from D.C., that has slowed the project and created a number of problems, including community lawsuits in various locations.

Because of the various misfires that have previously occurred, FAA HQ is definitely beginning to see the light and try to be more collaborative with local stakeholders, but in my opinion it's still too top-down. FAA has a group at HQ in D.C. called "Metroplex", which is tasked with bringing NextGen to the busiest airspaces in the largest metropolitan areas. While their efforts are definitely improving, they still have a ways to go.

Ironically, the most successful NextGen implementation in the country was not an FAA HQ Metroplex-driven effort, but rather a home-grown project that was put together by the local FAA TRACON, Tower, and Center, along with the major airport in that area, the local GA airports, airlines, etc. I was involved and it is still the model for the rest of the country. Compared to the much more bureaucratic, top-heavy official effort of FAA Metroplex, this project was handled in a relatively entrepreneurial way, with all the relevant stakeholders getting together and simply refusing to fail. It was remarkable to witness, and should be the example that is looked to as this FAA Air Traffic privatization effort proceeds. No amount of regimented "process" can substitute for people who are simply determined to succeed no matter what. FAA, at the D.C. level, needs to realize that while they certainly have a monumental task on their shoulders to bring NextGen to the entire national airspace system, and with limited resources, if they would loosen their grip and let suitably-motivated local groups do their work for them, these groups would serve as force multipliers in the national effort. I have seen this work remarkably well with my own eyes.

The answer to making the NextGen effort successful exists today at one airport. While I won't identify it directly, it is the major airport at which you already have a one-mile head start as you climb out. The results there have been outstanding, and the local working group has not rested on its success, but rather continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, now engaged in proving new concepts for the use of RNP-AR approaches, which is FAR beyond where the rest of the country is at the moment.