2016年1月17日星期日

ATC Privatization

The current ATC system is managing and control by the FAA, it is mainly based on connecting the routes by VOR point and control the aircrafts by radar system. The next generation ATC system will be a huge improvement, the System will be modernized by using Global positioning system built on reliable satellite based navigation (Global Business Travel Association). The Next generation ATC system will be more fast and efficient with a bigger capacity to handle more traffic, which can able to reduce delays, and improves on time performance of some major hub airports. According to the Global business Travel Association, the new system will be able to reduce the delay by 35% and provides $23 billion in delay reduction benefits. (Global Business Travel Association). The new system will also helps to reduce fuel consumption, emission, noise pollution. Overall the the new system will be providing a lot more benefits comparing to the current system.


There are different voices speaking towards the ATC privatization , Some organization supports privatization, however some opposes it. The CEO of The Nation Business Aviation Association which represents private jet operator, Ed Bolen was speaking representing his 10,000 fellow member and make sure their voice to be heard.(NBAA). They think that the ATC will be affecting the entire public instead of Airline operators. It is too costly for the next generation system, and it will directly affect their operation cost which includes user fees.  However there are some large operators for example American Airlines supports the privatization, as they think the process of upgrading the current system will be much faster if it is privatized. The CEO of American airlines says. "We are seeking a transformational change to the way that the air=traffic control system is financed and governed" ( USA today, 2015) As we can see the funding and cost are the main problems of modernization, SomeLarger operators think that the benefit of privatization is larger than the cost, and they are seeking for the transformation. however some small operators think it would be too costly"

Other countries for example Canada is currently privatizing the ATC system. The private cooperation called NAV is an non-government organization overseeing the ATC system in Canada, which is founded 1996 in Ottawa. Canada has the world 3rd busiest Air traffic in the world, and they currently complete the upgrade of the next generation ATC system (AIN online 2015) which is running by far most efficient ATC system. The funding of the organization is mainly coming from the bank liability and which is currently paying back by charges using fee from the operator. As the president of the organization Kozlow mentions that " We do borrow money and we gat tat back in service charge"( AIN Oline, 2015).

According to my research the current Authorization of ATC program was assign to FAA in the FAA Modernization ACT 2012, the current authorization was expired in September 2012. The congress have rights to make the final decision if the ATC system should be privatilizaed.The congress will have to make ashort term extension (center of America Progress May,2015)  of the current act, until the the final decision been made. In my own opinion, one of the important steps of the conversion is to form the new organization that will be overseeing the ATC systems. The next step is to collect funding to run the organization. According to my research on the Center of American Progress, the initial funding might be highly possible coming from the AATF, Airport and Airway Trust fund. which is initially 16 billion dollar. The fund is capitalized from aviation taxation. Before the final decision been made, the congress might also have to hear to consider difference voices from the opponent.

In my own opinion I'm strongly supporting the ATC privatization. As the privatization will be speeding up the modernization of the next generation ATC system. The new system will be able to increase the safety and efficiency of aviation system in the United State, which is the ultimate goal of everyone who involved in the industry. Also personally, as an international student in U.S, it is frustrating to see FAA is only providing job opportunity to U.S citizen only. Since, ATC will be privatized,  it would be highly possible that there will be more opportunity opens to non U.S citizen students who will be qualified for the jobs.

APA Reference.

 2015 Press Releases. (n.d.). Retrieved January 15, 2016, from https://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2015/20150625-062.php

 4 Essential Questions About Air Traffic Control Privatization. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2016, from https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/report/2015/05/05/112406/4-essential-questions-about-air-traffic-control-privatization/ 

 Airline executives urge privatization of air-traffic control. (n.d.). Retrieved January 15, 2016.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/12/01/airline-executives-urge-privatization-air-traffic-control/76604766/

 Canada's Private ATC System Offers Alternative for Cost-cutting Nations. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2016, from http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2012-01-01/canadas-private-atc-system-offers-alternative-cost-cutting-nations 

 NextGen – Air Traffic Control Modernization. (n.d.). Retrieved January 15, 2016, from https://www.gbta.org/usa/governmentrelations/Pages/NextGen–AirTrafficControlModernization.aspx 



1 条评论:

  1. Although i do respect your stance on supporting privatizing our system i would have to disagree with you. privatizing our system would make it much more expensive for us pilots than it already is. causing a serious amount of shortage in the future and could potentially be the main reason why it would discourage many people not to choose a career as a pilot in the future. It would make it more safer but after doing my research i find that many people think this would cause ATC to focus more on commercial and larger flights than the general aviation public. Yes you may be right about modernizing the next gen atc system but like many times before when they have proposed next gen it was always short of details and failed plenty of times after pouring in millions and millions of dollars into a system that most of our pilots dont agree to ascending too. Your opinion doesnt take away from your blog being insightful and helpful for those who agree with your opinion.

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