Industry and FAA officials believe the latest recommendations will lead to a shift in NextGen priorities, redirecting attention to the problems that most concern airspace users. This should go a long way to overcoming airline skepticism that the modernization effort will pay off for them—although carriers may still need convincing that the FAA will follow through.

The agency asked for the report to gauge which mid-term goals it should be concentrating on. While Next­Gen looks ahead to the technology that can be developed by 2025, the review examines what improvements could be made by 2018 using technology already in place.

The report was coordinated by RTCA Inc., a non-profit corporation that frequently advises the FAA. A task force of industry and government representatives last month completed seven months’ work to establish a set of priorities broadly agreed on by all stakeholders. These cover areas such as airport surface management, integrated plans for specific metro areas, data communications, runway capacity and en-route flows (AW&ST Sept. 21, p. 37).

Neil Planzer, Boeing’s vice president of air traffic management strategy, says the RTCA review reflects a change in focus for NextGen. Because of the airline industry’s economic distress, there is more urgency to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the air traffic control system, and to “see what can be done in a shorter time without damaging the long-term NextGen goals.”

Whether this new consensus will change anything depends on how seriously the FAA takes the task force findings. So far, senior agency officials appear to be valuing them highly.

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt says the report could provide “an excellent head start on the acceleration” of the modernization effort that has been promised by the Obama administration. The task force forged a broad consensus, and came up with recommendations that are “clear, actionable and achievable,” Babbitt noted at the Air Traffic Control Assn.’s annual conference on Oct. 5.

“Even if it does require us to modify our plans and processes, we are ready to commit appropriate resources and get to work on implementation” of the RTCA findings, says Babbitt.

Air Transport Assn. President James May describes the RTCA report as “laudable, important and necessary.” However, the keys to success will be executing the plan on schedule and paying for it. While NextGen involves a shift in emphasis from ground infrastructure to the cockpit, airlines are unable to make the required investment and must also be convinced of the business case for these costs.

May notes there is a massive step from wanting to take action to actually doing so. And even if the FAA is enthusiastic, the agency will need support from the administration and Congress. It remains to be seen whether there is “the political will at the highest levels to drive this process and execute the plan from the task force,” May says.