WASHINGTON, DC – After seven months of debate, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Future of Aviation Advisory Committee (FAAC ) completed its assignment December 17, 2010.
FAAC voted on and adopted 23 recommendations and then presented them to DOT Secretary and Illinois native Raymond LaHood. See DOT’s website for a complete list of proposals.
Among the recommendations, FAAC proposed that the federal government fund NextGen equipage of commercial and general aviation aircraft. This federal commitment must be matched in some fashion by financial or operational commitments; for example, reduced CO2 emissions. This public/private partnership in equipping aircraft should focus on equipping aircraft and training staff to use the key NextGen technology and operational capabilities including Performance-Based Navigation (PBN), Automatic Dependent Surveillance –Broadcast (ADS-B), Ground-Based Augmentation System (GBAS), and Data Communications.
FAAC believes there should be a menu of financial options managed through an infrastructure bank or other financing vehicle.