NextGen Implementation Plan 2018-2019 Technology Essay

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NextGen Implementation Plan 2018-2019
Introduction
From the establishment of artificial intelligence and the internet of things (IoT), technology is at the center of how the future will be revolutionized. Using various technological concepts, the FAA is transforming the National Airspace System (NAS) through the NextGen 2018-2019 plan. NextGen is a portfolio of four technological programs; Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B), Data Communication, Automation, and System Wide Information Management (SWIM) that the FAA believes will improve aviation standards around the world. The installation and implementation of some phases of these technological elements have already improved communication between controllers and pilots and reduced fuel consumption. However, as more phases of the plan are being completed, expectations among researchers and the public have increased beyond what the FAA envisioned. This paper examines the four main technology programs of the NextGen plan, their current status, and the expectations from their successful implementation.
Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B)
ADS-B is a NextGen feature that consistently tracks aircraft and records their speed and location regardless of the state of the weather or presence of mechanical problems. Local aircraft owners who fly 10 000 feet above sea level, international aircraft that fly 18 000 feet above sea level, and any aircraft that passes above the Gulf of Mexico must adopt and install ADS-B. By the end of 2019, "more than 83,000 US aircraft were equipped with rule-compliant ADS-B technology" (Federal Aviation Administration 8). Likewise, ADS-B has been integrated into the surveillance and radar systems of all the twenty-four air traffic control facilities in the country that control high-altitude traffic. Since its adoption in 2019, ADS-B has been very effective in controlling traffic in areas that have limited radar surveillance, such as the Gulf of Mexico, and reducing the overall flight time, which reduces fuel expenses.
Data Communication
The aim of Data Communication (Data Comm) is to supplement voice communication by digitally delivering the messages between pilots and traffic controllers. Data Comm ensures that messages are displayed on specific screens of the intended airplane, which "reduces the potential for miscommunication from widely broadcast voice exchanges" (Federal Aviation Administration 12). The installation of Data Communication technologies has been mixed since the plan was adopted by the FAA. Currently, Data Communication technologies have been installed in 62 airports across the country. In fact, in 55 airports out of the 62, the installation of Data Communication technologies was ahead of schedule by two years. However, the failure to allocate the required funds on time in 2018 affected installation in Indianapolis and Kansas City. Furthermore, to date, some elements of Data Communication, such as Dynamic Required Navigation Performance, are still at an inception stage.
Automation
To control the growing number of passengers, the NextGen 2018-2019 plan is applying the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) and En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) to automate the aviation industry. STARs enable traffic controllers to trace all the aircraft within their jurisdiction and effectively assess the actual state of the weather. On the other hand, ERAM is fitted with state-of-the-art software that can be used to support the changing needs of the country's aviation industry. By the end of 2015, ERAM had been installed in all the intended en route facilities in the country. Currently, ER...