Hudson Institute Document Details Five Obstacles To American Leadership In Global Air Transportation

A new Hudson Institute study finds that America's air traffic control system has fallen seriously behind modern information technology. Case studies illustrate the organizational roadblocks preventing the FAA from modernizing its flight procedures, communications and navigation technology, and governing structure. The report outlines the steps necessary to bring the US system back to the forefront of global air transportation.

"Organization and Innovation in Air Traffic Control" was prepared by Robert W. Poole, Jr., director of transportation policy at Reason Foundation and self-described authority on aviation issues.

Key findings from the report include:

• US air traffic control has yet to enter the Digital Age and still relies on technology developed in the 1960s.
• An upgraded system would bring tremendous savings in time, fuel, and expense to travelers and carriers; enhanced safety; and improved environmental quality.
• The FAA is hobbled by government budget constraints, procurement rules, and multiple layers of political oversight. It lacks the incentives and resources to keep pace with the needs of the aviation community and growth in air traffic.

According to the report, the most advanced and innovative systems are in nations—such as Australia, Canada, Germany, the UK, and New Zealand—that have moved air traffic control into single-mission organizations that charge directly for their services, issue revenue bonds for capital improvements, and are governed by aviation stakeholders. A similar approach would be highly feasible for the U.S. and is attracting increasing support because of the federal government's budget problems and the growing gap between our air traffic system and state-of-the-art technology.

FMI: www.hudson.org