Congressman Mica: Facility Launches A New Era In Aviation
A Congressional field hearing Monday in Daytona Beach,
FL, focused on the FAAs new Florida Test Bed facility for
developing NextGen air traffic control technologies. The hearing,
which preceded the opening of the Test Bed, highlighted the
partnership between the FAA, the private sector and academia in
developing state of the art technologies for modernizing the
nation’s air traffic control system.
“The Florida Test Bed is an
example of how the federal government can harness private sector
and academic resources in partnership to help modernize our air
traffic control system and improve the safety and efficiency of
U.S. aviation,” said U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL)
(pictured), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee, which conducted the hearing. “With the development
of Next Generation air traffic control technology, software and
systems in this area, we have the potential for one of the most
significant high paying job opportunities since the start of the
space program.”
Mica continued, “While NextGen has faced challenges, being
able to leverage private sector and academic expertise and
resources has been a positive step for the NextGen program. The
next important step in moving NextGen forward is for Congress to
pass a long overdue FAA bill. We have had four and a half years of
delay and short-term extensions of the previous FAA law. This
patchwork series of 22 short-term FAA extensions is no way for
Congress to authorize our nation’s aviation system and
programs.
“We have had too many aviation near misses, both on the
ground and in the air,” Mica added. “The nation needs
the safest, most efficient aviation system possible. It is time to
complete an FAA bill, which will set critically needed milestones
and metrics for the development of NextGen.”
“NextGen is a massive,
complicated program, and we have to do it right,” said U.S.
Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI) (pictured), Chairman of the Aviation
Subcommittee. “The Florida Test Bed is an example of a
public-private partnership that will bring together government, the
private sector and academia to move NextGen forward by testing and
developing NextGen technologies. We need to draw on the expertise
and experience of a wide range of interests if NextGen is to
succeed. This is the type of collaborative effort we need to ensure
that NextGen progresses so that we can enjoy the many benefits it
will provide in terms of safety, the environment and greater
efficiencies. I am pleased to be here in Florida with Chairman Mica
on this important day for the Florida Test Bed.”
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University President Dr. John P. Johnson, the Government
Accountability Office and aviation industry representatives
testified at Monday's hearing.
The state of the art Florida Test Bed,
which also opened Monday, was established through a partnership
between FAA, Embry-Riddle, and Daytona Beach International Airport.
The Test Bed allows the federal government to take advantage of the
University and private sector expertise in developing and testing
NextGen technologies.
The NextGen plan consists of new concepts and capabilities for air
traffic management and communications, navigations, and
surveillance that involves: transitioning from a ground-based radar
system to a more automated, aircraft-centered, satellite-based
surveillance system; developing more direct and efficient routes
through the airspace; improving aviation weather systems;
developing data communications capabilities between aircraft and
the ground to reduce controller and pilot workload per aircraft;
and creating shared and distributed information technology
architectures.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has reported on the
importance of collaboration with industry and NextGen partner
agencies for the efficient delivery of NextGen benefits. The GAO
has cited FAA’s assertions that private sector involvement in
the research efforts for NextGen has the potential to save a
significant amount of time and funding necessary to deliver NextGen
benefits.
According to the FAA, the initial success of NextGen integrated
testing at Daytona Beach International Airport as well as a
continuing need for proof of concept demonstrations prompted the
FAA to ensure long-term sustainability for the Test Bed, beginning
in fiscal year 2009.