Four Pillars of
NextGEN: Economic Impact, Sustainability, Flexibility and Safety
1 Rank the four pillars of Nextgen:
The four pillars of nextgen are all
critical to the aviation industry. However, if I were to rank them, I would
place safety as the number one pillar because I believe that safety comes first
above everything else. Without safety, the other three pillars would be
rendered useless. The problem of safety can’t be solved by economic means. I
believe safety should be addressed due mainly to the introduction of newer and
larger aircraft, newer technologies, automation, human errors, shrinking pool
of qualified pilots and environmental factors.
A second concern about safety has to do with the fact that the nation’s
air and ground based infrastructure, including air traffic control surveillance
and communication, navigation, airports and aircrafts are mostly out of date
and needs to be modernized. The government
must invest in these infrastructures to promote safety and efficiency.
Once the safety issue has been
resolved, the second pillar I would select is the economic impact. The economy
is fueled by the aviation industry. It has created millions of jobs and
contributed billions of dollars to the U.S and global economy. With safety and
the economy working hand in hand, sustainability and flexibility can be
accomplished.
2. Application of Fees
I believe that some of the fees
should go to the Nextgen to develop and implement technologies to improve
safety and efficiencies. This should be done in the form of grants, tax
credits, subsidies and other incentives to install newer equipment in aircraft.
3. Impact of Nextgen on my career
If the goals and policies of Nextgen
are implemented, it will greatly enhance my aviation career. These goals and
policies are expected to transform the aviation industry by introducing new
technologies set to improve surveillance services, fuel savings, reduce delays,
situational awareness and release greenhouse environmental impact. These will
not only greatly enhance my career, but also that of the aviation industry.
NextGen
implementation plan (2012). Federal Aviation Administration, Washington, DC:
www.faa.gov/nextgen