NextGen Implemementation Plan
Overview (June 2008)
This Executive Overview defines FAA's progress on its NextGen Implementation Plan. Since June 2007, the FAA has added three new operational capabilities to its list of commitments. Two of these provide increased information to pilots:
- Weather Advisory Information to the Flight Deck via Flight Information Services-Broadcast (FIS-B), which will increase the amount of weather information available in the cockpit of properly equipped aircraft, starting in Fiscal Year 2008.
- Expanded Traffic Advisory Services Using Digital Traffic Data via Traffic Information Services-Broadcast (TIS-B), which provides more information about surrounding traffic directly to the cockpit of properly equipped aircraft, starting in Fiscal Year 2012.
The third new operational capability allows the FAA to manage airspace more safely and efficiently:
- Air Traffic Control Surveillance Service in Non-Radar Areas via Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), which, starting in Fiscal Year 2010, will use the satellite-based ADS-B in the Gulf of Mexico's non-radar airspace to reduce separation standards and improve surveillance.
Working with industry, the FAA has also more completely described 34 additional NextGen mid-term operational capabilities, which are currently being evaluated through research, development and engineering activities. Significantly, through this effort the FAA has clearly identified which capabilities would require avionics, which will help stakeholders begin to understand the implications for their operations. This Executive Overview includes a summary of how NAS operations would change by 2018 if these capabilities are all implemented.
