Avionics, RTCA Team On NextGen Conference

Avionics Magazine and aviation advisory and standards-setting organization RTCA have teamed to disseminate the recommendations of the NextGen Mid-Term Implementation Task Force to the aviation community. The Task Force recommendations will be explained at “NowGen NEXT,” a day-long conference Sept. 15 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. FAA Administrator J. Randolph “Randy” Babbitt will give the keynote address.

Earlier this year, FAA asked RTCA to establish a committee of industry and government volunteers to develop consensus-based recommendations for achieving Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) operational improvements in the 2015 to 2018 time frame, considered mid-term in the transition to a NextGen operating environment in 2025. The Task Force is expected to deliver recommendations by Aug. 31.

In addition to operational recommendations, the Task Force will provide a supporting business case and suggested strategies for implementation. For each operational capability, one or more operators will be identified as an “applicant” and will commit to making the necessary investments in
equipment, procedures, training and certification.

“All recommendations will be actionable,” states the Task Force Interim Report, released June 30. “All recommendations will document intended benefits, risks and costs, and will be vetted by the complete NextGen Task Force membership. Risks will be acknowledged up front, and mitigated jointly between the FAA and industry.”

Leaders of the Task Force and FAA executives will address the recommendations during the Sept. 15 conference. For more information, visit www.NowGenNEXT.com and follow aviation today.com for updates.