Air Traffic Control Privatization--Current/Next Gen

There has been talk for years of changing the ways ATC functions. Possible privatization of ATC as a whole and finally the installing of Next Gen. Currently the United State's Air Traffic Control System is radar based, whereas upon the installment of Next Gen ATC, air traffic control will become satellite based. The Next Gen system will replace the older and outdated use of primary radar and VORs/NDBs. Currently air traffic follows routes along VOR radials, vectors and arrival and departure procedures which can be far from direct at times causing higher fuel burn and longer flights. By switching to a heavier dependence upon satellite systems, air traffic will be able to follow more direct routes and maintain a closer separation to cut back on route diversions all while continuing as safe and if not safer than before.

In addition to Next Gen, there is possibility of ATC becoming privatized which will have advantages and disadvantages. A few advantages are the probability of costs being reduced, increasing the speed of ATC system modernization such as implementing Next Gen and to stabilize funding (Sclar). Many General Aviation leaders and organizations have concerns about implementing a privatized ATC. While saving money for the government, the money to replace government funding will likely come from user fees on top of the fuel tax. This can lead to a pay to use policy causing many pilots to pass up ATC aid for flight planning, flight following and the like to save money even though it can increase their risk to danger from weather or a high traffic volume (Wood, 2015). The EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) has very large concerns with ATC privatization along with other GA organizations, while the airlines are pushing for a non-profit privatization (Grady, 2015). The airline industry seems to be leaning towards a private ATC, with some spokesman stating that having a private industry will hasten the implementation of technology improvements that take too much time with the current system.

The most well known country with Air Traffic Control in the private sector is Canada. There are many articles stating that Canada has done what the U.S. should be doing because of the FAA's history of failing to meet deadlines, going over budget and failing to implement technology upgrades.
As stated earlier, a privatized ATC will be funded by user fees which is either a good or bad thing depending on what part of the industry you are working in. Canada has roughly 12 million flight operations annually while the United States ATC runs around 50 million annually (Mark, 2012). Although many people will argue that Nav Canada's (Canada's private ATC structure) implementation has been a success, their current air traffic is much less than that of the United State's. There would definitely have to be some major differences with implementing a similar private Air Traffic Control into the U.S.

A privatized Air Traffic Control could be what this country needs. It would certainly need input from the entire spectrum of aviation personnel. The country has a lot of traffic with many needs and different motives, but a properly functioning privatized ATC could lead the aviation community much faster and further than the current structure all while maintaining the same safety standard.

References

(2014, September 18). In Air Traffic 101. Retrieved from http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/briefing/

Grady, M. (2015, December 2). Airlines Push For ATC Privatization. In AVweb. Retrieved from http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Airlines-Push-For-ATC-Privatization-225300-1.html

Mark, R. (2012, January 1). Canada’s Private ATC System Offers Alternative for Cost-cutting Nations. In AINonline. Retrieved from http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2012-01-01/canadas-private-atc-system-offers-alternative-cost-cutting-nations

Sclar, E. (n.d.). In Pitfalls of Air Traffic Control Privatization. Retrieved from http://www.controladoresaereos.org/wp-content/uploads/pitfalls-of-atc-privatization.pdf

Wood, J. (2015, July 8). Call to action issued over ATC privatization. In General Aviation News. Retrieved from http://generalaviationnews.com/2015/07/08/call-to-action-issued-over-atc-privatization/