subject: 2011 FAA Budget Debate and NextGen Air Traffic Control Systems [print this page] 2011 FAA Budget Debate and NextGen Air Traffic Control Systems
But what happens when the debate surrounds air traffic control, airline safety, cyber terrorism, and the TSA? Sounds like all the sound and fury of our modern era with airborne incoming weapons of mass distraction; political propaganda. Yes, that's about what is happening indeed.
In fact there was an interesting article the other day in the Wall Street Journal titled; "House Bill Seeks Cuts to FAA," by Josh Mitchell and Any Pasztor on April 2, 2011. In the article amongst many other interesting facts the article noted that if the bill were to be passed it would push back the FAA budget to that of 2008s budget, but this also at a time when the FAA is working on seriously updating its Air Traffic Control System for efficiency and safety. On the safety front would be prevention of cyber terrorism, midair collisions, runway incursions, and regular terrorism using aircraft as weapons.
For efficiency it could provide less wait times, more direct routes, and thus, drastically reduce fuel consumption which is on everyone's mind, especially the airlines with the increase costs of jet fuel. The article stated; "Republicans aim to cut about $4 billion from the projected spending through 2015," and Democrats are screaming air-safety, and carbon footprint of aviation. Northrop and Lockheed, and Boeing as well, see lucrative contracts along with other contractors for the installation of NextGen Air Traffic Control Systems, even going 3D or partial holographic for ATC personnel displays.
I'd advise anyone looking into this topic to go to the GAO Website and search "ATC Modernization" and "NextGen Air Traffic FAA" - and I think what you'll quickly discover is that in these references and archived GAO Reports are tons of information on why we need ATC Modernization and the challenges faced in the turbulent skies ahead, along with Historical Perspectives - including the ongoing problem and the blob of bureaucracy.
You see, sometimes I just want to shake these bureaucrats, often the incompetence is unnerving. Could I help remedy the situation, should our think tank help? Well, personally I cannot be involved with their committees or the snail's pace of the bureaucracy. It's comical in many regards, that is if it were not so serious. After you read (scan) all those GAO documents you will get a better idea of what I am talking about, then sit back and think about it for a moment and realize how insane all this nonsense really is.
The FAA is attempting to be so safe, that they inadvertently stifle freedom of travel, commerce, industry, trade, transportation, and it's costing us a fortune in the flows of our civilization to no avail. And they just keep piling on the minutia. This is why I am not pleased, and have no respect for the FAA, an in my opinion, it's a joke, all of it. We should have flying cars by now.
The FAA is holding back "real" progress. I'd hate to give them more money to waste, or more time to delay the future of air travel. It's the blob of bureaucracy run by humans with infinite nonsense and no brains in my view. But let me know if you want to know how I really feel - you can shoot me an email.
In full disclosure: I practically grew up on an airport, lived at Naval Air Stations for the first 9-years of my life, started my first aviation business at age 12, became a pilot on my 17th birthday, dad was in the airlines, fighter pilot, now flies corporate Gulfstream Jets, and one Grandfather ran a GATO office, the other worked with early radar - scientist. My comments and observations are not without merit, so please consider all this.
Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.WorldThinkTank.net - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.
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