The NextGen modernization of the U.S. air traffic system is already providing benefits for airports large and small and will provide more as the effort progresses. NextGen will provide new capabilities that will improve safety and accessibility at airports used by piston- and turbine-powered general aviation aircraft.
In anticipation of future air traffic growth, NextGen capabilities will help commercial airports accommodate the demand for additional capacity in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. For example, the sharing and use of newly available surface surveillance data to track aircraft and vehicles will enhance safety and enable airports to make better use of existing capacity. And while airport surface improvement is one of the main near-term areas of emphasis, work is also underway on other initiatives, such as improving operations on closely spaced parallel, converging and intersecting runways.
Q: What does NextGen do for airport capacity, particularly during inclement weather?
Q: How does NextGen help improve ATC-surveillance at airports that don't have radar coverage today?
Q: What is FAA doing to help airports prepare for NextGen?
Q: In discussing the approach procedures at my airport with pilots, there seems to be a need for a new PBN procedure. I’m the airport manager. How do I request consideration for a new instrument flight procedure?
A: You can obtain additional information and submit requests at: http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/ifpinitiation.
Q: Where can I find information on newly published RNAV and RNP approach procedures? How many LPV approaches has the FAA published?
A: The FAA's Global Navigation Satellite Services group provides updates on the RNAV inventory, including LPV, at: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units
/techops/navservices/gnss/approaches/index.cfm
Q: What does NextGen do for airport capacity, particularly during inclement weather?
A: A key benefit of NextGen is being able to retain VFR-like capacity during inclement weather in order to maintain efficient and reliable operations at an airport. Improving closely spaced parallel runway operations (CSPO) is one way to do this. FAA is pursing a two-phase strategy for CSPO. Phase One is evaluating what can be done to minimize spacing with existing technologies; Phase Two will evaluate what can be done with new technologies and avionics. Overall, improvements to CSPO will be incremental and maintaining safe separation from wake vortices will still be a requirement for aircraft flying a CSPO approach.
Q: I'm interested in vehicle transponders for my airport to improve situational awareness. Where can I go for additional information?
A: AC 150/5220-26 on Airport Ground Vehicle ADS-B Out Squitter Equipment (published 11/14/2011) provides guidance on the development, installation, testing, approval, and maintenance of ADS-B Out squitter units for airport ground vehicles. Go to: http://www.faa.gov/airports/resources/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go
/document.information/documentNumber/150_5220-26 (INFORMATION).
Q: How does NextGen help improve ATC-surveillance at airports that don't have radar coverage today?
A: Expanding surveillance to non-radar airports that are restricted to "one in, one out" operations will improve safety and capacity. In Colorado, the Wide Area Multilateration (WAM) system reduces delays for up to 75 flights per day during ski season. In response to an RTCA Task Force 5 recommendation, FAA is exploring state and local cost-sharing initiatives such as the Colorado WAM initiative. FAA is also evaluating how to get more coverage out of already planned ADS-B locations where ground based transceivers are being installed and adding new ADS-B stations in non-radar areas.
Q: What is FAA doing to help airports prepare for NextGen?
A: The scope of NextGen includes airports, both large and small. FAA is working across Lines of Business on the integrated planning for the development and rollout of NextGen capabilities. Specifically, we're identifying concepts and programs within NextGen that are relevant to airport planning and operations. And we'll continue to coordinate with airport stakeholders and plan appropriately for new infrastructure that is needed to meet future aviation demand.Page Last Modified: 11/22/11 13:47 EST
This page can be viewed online at: http://www.faa.gov/nextgen/qanda/airports/