Last week the FAA and its partners in the NextGen Advisory Committee submitted a plan to Congress to accelerate the implementation of NextGen ATC procedures. The NextGen Priorities Joint Implementation Plan seeks approval to begin the rollout of NextGen’s advanced features and introduce the benefits they produce.
Under the plan, the FAA will introduce multiple-runway operations at 36 U.S. airports, raising airport efficiency and reducing delays. Performance-based navigation procedures will be deployed in three metropolitan areas: northern California, Atlanta and Charlotte. The goal of introducing repeatable and predictable flight paths is to provide more direct routings and thereby save fuel, cut emissions, enhance controller productivity and improve safety.
Other elements of NextGen will see the FAA sharing more data about surface operations. The agency says it is accelerating work on upgrading its ATC communications to digital from voice to enhance safety and efficiency.
