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ATC Privatization

Over the years, the airspace above has been getting more sophisticated, yet safer. Currently, our system is divided into 21 sections covering 5,282,000 square miles of Domestic U.S. Airspace and 24,101,568 square miles of U.S. Oceanic Airspace. Major components of this include the traffic flow management system; Time based flow management, and en route automation modernization (FAA, 2018). The system implemented now is radar based and uses a transponder between ATC and other aircrafts to display location and altitude with a short delay in the relay. NextGen is a FAA led modernization of our air transportation system to increase the safety, efficiency, capacity, and resiliency (FAA, 2018). NextGen is satellite based and will allow pilots, controllers, and operators to gain better information that help the aircraft get from point A to B faster, while consuming less fuel, and will be more efficient. NextGen is on target to have all components in place by 2025.

The biggest reason why traditional GA has spoken against the privatization of ATC is due to the cost that it will intel. These GA aircraft will have to be installed with the ADS-B equipment that will cost additional thousands of dollars per aircraft. Sarasota Avionics sells ADS-B packages ranging from $2,000 to $2,500. On the other hands, US carriers are all for implementing ADS-B. It would still be costly to install it on existing aircraft along with future aircraft, but it will provide more efficient and increasing capacity and safety among the airlines. Overall, it will result in more revenue in the industry. Aviation Organization AOPA posted a link calling for members to ask congress to oppose privatization (AOPA.org, 2017). Also, my other favorite organization that I belong to, EAA, also opposes the privatization of ATC (EAA.org, 2016).

According to Aero Space America, Canada uses Nav Canada, a nonprofit company that owns and runs Canada’s civil air navigation system. The U.S. airline industry and congress use Nav Canadas structure as a model so responsibility and control can be shifted away from the FAA. Ever since 1987, New Zealand, Germany, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom have switched from government owned, government models to public private partnerships using user fees to cover cost. France has kept its air navigation agency in the government (Aerospace America, 2017). Currently, privatized ATC has been proved to be slightly more efficient compared to the United States, but at the same time those that are privatized overseas are much smaller and less busy than Americas.

For NextGen to be integrated into the system, it must go through a series of amends and revises through congress. According to Congress, the bill amends the version of aviation reauthorization act to revise contents of annual DOT report to congress regarding an integrated work plan for NextGen. The bill is then revised multiple times and stages. It has to be an act of Congress that can make this decision on its own. Trumps current administration was to push NextGen into place, privatization ATC.

Personally, I am for it if it can boost safety and efficiency in the overall industry. The only thing I am worried about is the cost. I really haven’t been able to wrap my head around the whole process to see the big picture. Its understood the main changes that will happen, but what else could be beneficial. So if it will improve our safety significantly and not put a hole in my wallet, I am for it.

Citation:
Privatizing air traffic control. (2017, May 31). Retrieved April 07, 2018, from https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/features/privatizing-air-traffic-control/
DeFazio, P., & Larsen, R. (2017, May 10). The case against privatizing the nation's air traffic control system. Retrieved April 07, 2018, from http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/transportation/332684-the-case-against-privatizing-the-nations-air-traffic
D., & S. (2017, February 06). S.320 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): NextGen Accountability Act. Retrieved April 07, 2018, from https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/320
Where We Are Now. (2018, February 25). Retrieved April 07, 2018, from https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/where_we_are_now/

Comments

  1. FourthGenFlyingApril 7, 2018 at 6:03 PM

    Great job including those details about the U.S. airspace specifications. In my research, I found that our airspace system has three times the traffic of the next sized airspace, China, so it's apples to oranges in any comparison. You cited ADS-B as the biggest reason that GA opposed privatization, but ADS-B is already an FAA mandate. It is going to be required by January 1, 2020 under the current mandate, and has nothing to do with privatization. You were right in mentioning cost. The cost that GA is worried about is primarily user fees. The old NAS system of ground-based navigation aids are on their way out, ADS-B and GPS are the way of the future.

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