Hennig Calls NextGen A 'Paradigm Shift' In Air Traffic Control

Representatives from GAMA testified Wednesday Before the House Subcommittee on Aviation that implementing recommendations of the RTCA Mid-Term Implementation Task Force report is a crucial step towards near-term success for NextGen and will be imperative in helping to realize long-term safety, capacity, economic and environmental benefits.
 
In his testimony, GAMA's Vice President of Operations Jens Hennig, emphasized the important role that GA plays as a growth engine for the U.S. by contributing over $150 billion to the economy each year.  He stressed that despite losing over 19,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs over the past year, our industry continues to invest in new NextGen avionics such as Required Navigation Performance (RNP), data communications, and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) that will help stimulate future economic growth and employment.
 
Regarding the Task Force, GAMA noted that focus is now shifting toward delivery as opposed to planning.  This focus on implementation will generate more user confidence for equipage and NextGen.  "As the RTCA Task Force report emphasizes, equipage will only take place when users are confident about the potential for benefits," said Hennig.  "Success in implementation now will mean more user confidence as we implement NextGen."
 
Hennig also emphasized that NextGen shifts the air traffic control infrastructure from the ground to equipment on the aircraft.  This paradigm shift makes streamlining of avionics certification and operational approvals even more important.  Further enhancements in these two areas connects directly with the ability to implement NextGen at the desired pace.

Jens Hennig

Additionally, Hennig discussed the role of financial incentives to help stimulate early equipage within the operator community.  "These incentives become important when benefits reside not only with the individual operator but also with the overall system, other operators, and the U.S. government," remarked Hennig.  "GAMA looks forward to working with this Committee, others in Congress, the Administration, and industry stakeholders to develop opportunities to further NextGen through financial incentives for equipage."

FMI: www.gama.org