ATC Privatization
1.) As of now, the current ATC system operates off of RADAR. What this means is that only air traffic controllers can see the position of other aircraft. RADAR sends out a signal, that signal is picked up by other aircraft, and sent back to the ATC facility. This is then displayed on a screen in the ATC facility and this is how aircraft are directed in the national airspace system. With the proposed NextGen system, both ATC and pilots will now be able to see the position of other aircraft. the new system operates off of ADS-B equipment, which is satellite based. Signals are sent out from the ATC facility, refracted off of satellites, and then sent to the aircraft's transponder. These same signals are also sent between other aircraft, so that aircraft are now able to see the altitude, type, and directional trend of other aircraft.
2.) GA has traditionally been against the privatization of ATC is because a few large companies, such as major airlines, could take control of the airspace system and restrict the use of ATC services to general aviation aircraft, or at the very least, tax those services heavily. The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) stated, "With the airlines in charge of air traffic control, it's increasingly possible that airport access to general aviation aircraft could become restricted, and that a private organization could be empowered with taxing authority," Derks said. "The volume of air traffic in the United States, including general aviation traffic, far exceeds that of any other nation. Modernizing the nation's aviation system should be the focus and is much more important than privatizing the system, which is the safest in the world". The AEA largely believes what GA believes, in that they are concerned that GA will be restricted to the ATC system. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, which largely represents general aviation, has opposed ATC privatization immensely, as this goes largely against what they stand for, which is protecting the rights of general aviation operators.
3.) According to an article published on aerospaceamerica.com, "Nav Canada, the nonprofit company that owns and runs Canada’s civil air navigation system, is the model for those in the U.S. airline industry and Congress who want to shift responsibility for air traffic control out of the FAA". It is funded by publicly traded debt and service charges to aircraft operators. it is important to note that Nav Canada is also a not-profit company. Privatized ATC runs much more efficiently, because policy changes and technology updates are able to occur much quicker, because such decisions do not have to go through several layers of bureaucracy.
4.) The decision to privatize ATC, has to go through several layers of government. The discussion, however, primarily takes place in Congress and the FAA. The discussion between the government and it's citizens takes place in the coments section of the federal register. The issue has its own bill and docket number associated with it, as do any other policy changes within the government. The current administration, seems to be all for allowing ATC to be privatized. Our current administration has made it very clear in the past that they are pro big business.
5.) I feel as though the privatization of ATC would ultimately be more efficient. things would be able to change quicker which is ultimately good for certain sectors of aviation. However, I feel that the relatively slow changes within the FAA are what keep the ATC system so safe. Since nothing new needs to be learned and re-learned frequently, it allows for the people that utilize the ATC system to have a good understanding of what happens within that system, so that no surprises or curveballs are thrown our way when we all of a sudden we find out mid-flight that a policy change has taken place and that we are now violating a law that we were previously unaware of.
Sources:
Fuller, S.L., (June 6, 2017). Industry Associations Respond to White House ATC Privatization Initiative. Retrieved from: http://www.aviationtoday.com/2017/06/06/industry-associations-speak-response-white-house-atc-privatization-initiative/
Werner, Debra. (June 1, 2017). Privatizing Air Traffic Control. Retrieved from: https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/features/privatizing-air-traffic-control/
2.) GA has traditionally been against the privatization of ATC is because a few large companies, such as major airlines, could take control of the airspace system and restrict the use of ATC services to general aviation aircraft, or at the very least, tax those services heavily. The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) stated, "With the airlines in charge of air traffic control, it's increasingly possible that airport access to general aviation aircraft could become restricted, and that a private organization could be empowered with taxing authority," Derks said. "The volume of air traffic in the United States, including general aviation traffic, far exceeds that of any other nation. Modernizing the nation's aviation system should be the focus and is much more important than privatizing the system, which is the safest in the world". The AEA largely believes what GA believes, in that they are concerned that GA will be restricted to the ATC system. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, which largely represents general aviation, has opposed ATC privatization immensely, as this goes largely against what they stand for, which is protecting the rights of general aviation operators.
3.) According to an article published on aerospaceamerica.com, "Nav Canada, the nonprofit company that owns and runs Canada’s civil air navigation system, is the model for those in the U.S. airline industry and Congress who want to shift responsibility for air traffic control out of the FAA". It is funded by publicly traded debt and service charges to aircraft operators. it is important to note that Nav Canada is also a not-profit company. Privatized ATC runs much more efficiently, because policy changes and technology updates are able to occur much quicker, because such decisions do not have to go through several layers of bureaucracy.
4.) The decision to privatize ATC, has to go through several layers of government. The discussion, however, primarily takes place in Congress and the FAA. The discussion between the government and it's citizens takes place in the coments section of the federal register. The issue has its own bill and docket number associated with it, as do any other policy changes within the government. The current administration, seems to be all for allowing ATC to be privatized. Our current administration has made it very clear in the past that they are pro big business.
5.) I feel as though the privatization of ATC would ultimately be more efficient. things would be able to change quicker which is ultimately good for certain sectors of aviation. However, I feel that the relatively slow changes within the FAA are what keep the ATC system so safe. Since nothing new needs to be learned and re-learned frequently, it allows for the people that utilize the ATC system to have a good understanding of what happens within that system, so that no surprises or curveballs are thrown our way when we all of a sudden we find out mid-flight that a policy change has taken place and that we are now violating a law that we were previously unaware of.
Sources:
Fuller, S.L., (June 6, 2017). Industry Associations Respond to White House ATC Privatization Initiative. Retrieved from: http://www.aviationtoday.com/2017/06/06/industry-associations-speak-response-white-house-atc-privatization-initiative/
Werner, Debra. (June 1, 2017). Privatizing Air Traffic Control. Retrieved from: https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/features/privatizing-air-traffic-control/
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