Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)
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Greener Skies
Take a look and explore how one airline is testing procedures that could save time for passengers and save fuel for the environment.
It's happening right now.
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FAA Commemorates 9/11 with NextGen arrival profiles
The DC Metroplex team worked hard to make the airspace around the nation's capital more efficient.
In the process, they also created new precision waypoints that form a tribute to Sept. 11 and our armed forces.
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Start Spreading The News
JetBlue becomes the first FAA-approved carrier to fly NextGen routes into New York's JFK airport. What does that mean? Shorter flight times, more efficient flights, less fuel burned and reduced noise.
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Plan of Action
For the first time ever we are offering this year's edition of the NextGen Implementation Plan on an e-reader.
In it you will find the latest updates on our continuing endeavor to transform the invisible infrastructure of our national airspace.
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What is NextGen?
We're undertaking the largest transformation of air traffic control ever attempted, while thousands of planes and millions of passengers continue to fly safely.
The last time this happened we had just fought and won a World War and were on the cusp of the space race.
It's time to enter the new era of NextGen.
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Aviation's Economic Impact
Ever wonder how important aviation is to the economy?
You may not be surprised but the trickling effect aviation brings to the country is on a massive level. The total: $1.3 trillion injected into the total economy.
Take a look at this information and be prepared to be impressed.
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A Strong Nucleus
Curious about the programs that make NextGen the largest transformation in the history of air travel?
There is satellite surveillance, new methods of routing pilots, planes and passengers, and landing procedures that shave minutes from flight time.
These are the programs that will change how you experience flight. This is the nucleus of NextGen.
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NextGen Now
Airports are the vital hubs that serve our aviation needs every day.
NextGen will help our nation's airports run smoother and reduce delays. It will get airplanes off the runway faster without having to wait in long take-off lines.
And once you get to your destination, NextGen will help airports make better use of their runways and get you quickly to your gate.
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NextGen Dashboard Lands On Time
We are always pleased to share the next steps toward enhancing our invisible infrastructure in the sky.
As we move forward with this joint endeavor that encompasses aviation, we are opening dialogues with airlines to help them fly NextGen routes. We're also working with them to discover all the benefits they are experiencing from new performance-based navigation procedures at airports across the country.
NextGen Experience
The NextGen Narrative
NextGen Coast to Coast
Explore the locations, technologies and partnerships of NextGen.
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Puzzles are easier to solve when you have all the pieces: Fuel savings. Metric tons of CO2 emissions eliminated from the sky. Minutes shaved from thousands of flights. We have begun the arduous process of measuring these types of benefits and more. By merging the skies above major airports into precise, choreographed patterns of traffic we can operate our airspace in a more efficient manner. Find out how making all the pieces work together maximizes the benefits of NextGen.
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While you may not know it, major airports across the country are already starting to install and benefit from NextGen technologies. We wanted to give you a better picture of what airports are leading the way in becoming fully NextGen capable. While surface technologies are making airports safer, a variety of arrival and departure technologies at airports are helping pilots shave minutes from travel times. Explore the map to find out what your airport is doing with NextGen.
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Airlines are already starting to see benefits from flying with NextGen technologies. The fuel savings realized through tailored arrivals and precision landing routes help the environment and help the price of operating. While NextGen will be standard technology in the years to come, many airlines are jumping out ahead of the requirements to save money and help passengers. Click on the map to find out more.
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Before NextGen technologies, it was difficult to precisely monitor where aircraft were flying when over sparsely populated, or non populated, areas. Since there is nowhere to put a radar tower in the Gulf Of Mexico, pilots were tracked based on speed and distance from fixed points. Now, satellite coverage in the Gulf of Mexico allows controllers to know exactly where the helicopters and airplanes are. Click on the map to find out other regions of the country benefiting from NextGen.
- ATL
- ORD
- LAX
- DFW
- DEN
- JFK
- LAS
- IAH
- PHX
- SFO
- CLT
- EWR
- MCO
- MIA
- MSP
- SEA
- DTW
- PHL
- BOS
- IAD
- LGA
- BWI
- FLL
- SLC
- HNL
- DCA
- SAN
- TPA
- MDW
- PDX
- STL
- CVG
- MEM
- MCI
- CLE
- OAK
- RDU
- BNA
- SNA
- PIT
- MSY
- MKE
- IND
- DAL
- ANC
- SDF
- Alaska Airlines
- American
- Southwest
- Continental
- FedEx
- UPS
- Delta
- Alaska Airlines
- USAir
- Continental
- Jet Blue
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Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
Before satellite technology, the warm Gulf waters witnessed thousands of helicopter flights every day. Air traffic could only track those flights through voice communication. Now with new satellite technology air traffic can also see those flights, allowing controllers to send more flights out and in from the Gulf.
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Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
NextGen technology is helping monitor helicopter and airplane flights as they traverse the spires of the Rocky Mountains. Just like in the Gulf Of Mexico, territory that was previously unseen to air traffic controllers and difficult to travel is safer with precision satellite tracking. NextGen will continue to open up new frontiers of flight and making the skies over the mountains as safe as possible.
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Alaska
Alaska
The vast wilderness of Alaska's half a million square miles invite explorers and travelers and passengers alike. NextGen technology is increasing the surveillance and tracking of those thousands of flights. Previously inaccessible areas are now opened. It's another way that NextGen is helping in regions across the country, and getting people where they need to go.
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San Francisco
San Francisco
What is the most efficient way to move airplanes in congested parts of the country? Precision satellite technology. But it also involves carving new paths for arrivals and departures made possible from satellite surveillance. In the most congested regions of country, we're applying new procedures enabled by NextGen technology to ease the pressure.
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Los Angeles
Los Angeles
What is the most efficient way to move airplanes in congested parts of the country? Precision satellite technology. But it also involves carving new paths for arrivals and departures made possible from satellite surveillance. In the most congested regions of country, we're applying new procedures enabled by NextGen technology to ease the pressure.
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Dallas/Fort Worth
Dallas/Fort Worth
What is the most efficient way to move airplanes in congested parts of the country? Precision satellite technology. But it also involves carving new paths for arrivals and departures made possible from satellite surveillance. In the most congested regions of country, we're applying new procedures enabled by NextGen technology to ease the pressure.
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Chicago
Chicago
What is the most efficient way to move airplanes in congested parts of the country? Precision satellite technology. But it also involves carving new paths for arrivals and departures made possible from satellite surveillance. In the most congested regions of country, we're applying new procedures enabled by NextGen technology to ease the pressure.
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Atlanta
Atlanta
What is the most efficient way to move airplanes in congested parts of the country? Precision satellite technology. But it also involves carving new paths for arrivals and departures made possible from satellite surveillance. In the most congested regions of country, we're applying new procedures enabled by NextGen technology to ease the pressure.
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New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia
New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia
What is the most efficient way to move airplanes in congested parts of the country? Precision satellite technology. But it also involves carving new paths for arrivals and departures made possible from satellite surveillance. In the most congested regions of country, we're applying new procedures enabled by NextGen technology to ease the pressure.
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Southern Florida
Southern Florida
What is the most efficient way to move airplanes in congested parts of the country? Precision satellite technology. But it also involves carving new paths for arrivals and departures made possible from satellite surveillance. In the most congested regions of country, we're applying new procedures enabled by NextGen technology to ease the pressure.
- SAN
- FLL
- EWR
- ATL
- SFO
- ORD
- DTW
- CLE
- ATL
- ORD
- LAX
- DFW
- JFK
- LAS
- LAS
- IAH
- IAH
- PHX
- PHX
- SFO
- CLT
- CLT
- EWR
- MIA
- SEA
- SEA
- DTW
- PHL
- BOS
- BOS
- IAD
- LGA
- BWI
- FLL
- DCA
- SAN
- TPA
- TPA
- MDW
- STL
- CVG
- CLE
- PIT
- Core 30 & OEP 35
- OEP 35 Only
- FY11 Active Design and Implementation Teams
- FY11 Active Study Teams
- Metroplex Areas Eligible for Future Teams
Legend NextGen Progress
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Runway Technology
Satellites are helping air traffic controllers monitor planes on the ground as pilots taxi and takeoff. The technology makes it even safer for all airplanes, from the big jumbos to the small two-seaters. The NextGen technology is already becoming standard at major airports across the country.
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GPS Tracking
Right now, airplanes have to stay three miles apart in the sky. That causes problems when unpredictable weather or flight patterns become a reality. With NextGen monitoring technologies, which are incredibly precise, routes of all airplanes are more predictable and efficient.
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Arrivals / Departures
As is: pilots need to fly over a beacon that is maybe miles away from the airport. With NextGen arrivals and departure technology, controllers can offer pilots a shortcut. Precision flight near airports based on satellite monitoring ensures a faster flight while increasing safety.