Nextgen

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including air traffic control surveillance and communication, navigation, airports and aircrafts are mostly out of date and needs to be modernized.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