Armed with the consensus recommendations of the RTCA NextGen Mid-Term Implementation Task Force, the aviation industry and FAA are working toward making the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) a reality.

RTCA, with Avionics Magazine as premier partner, will hold its Spring Symposium, "Bringing NextGen Into Focus," April 6-7, in Washington, D.C., assembling senior FAA executives and industry leaders to discuss the collaborative efforts underway to integrate the Task Force recommendations into FAA's NextGen Implementation Plan.

The symposium at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown Washington will build upon the industry discussion begun by the NextGen Task Force, which issued recommendations last September on achieving NextGen mid-term operational capabilities.

According to RTCA, symposium sessions will span multiple time horizons of the NextGen transition, from planning to demonstration to implementation. Sessions will include key aviation industry players who are developing the plans, making the investment decisions and overseeing the implementation.

"I think the FAA would tell you that NextGen is defined more by the transition than by any end state," RTCA President Margaret Jenny told Avionics in a podcast interview. "To be successful in implementing the capabilities that will improve the safety and efficiency, the government and the industry really have to march forward hand-in-hand. Both have to make investments in technology, training and procedures. And each has to trust each other that they will meet their commitments.

"I think at the symposium we're going to hear from those on the front line – key participants in the government and industry team that are engaged in integrating the recommendations into the FAA's plans and probably more importantly moving out into implementing the recommendations."

For more information on the Spring Symposium, or to register, visit

www.rtcaspringsymposium.com

Avionics Magazine and RTCA also will produce a Fall Symposium in September.

Emily Feliz is the managing editor of Avionics Magazine. She can be reached at efeliz@accessintel.com or 301-354-1820.

www.aviationtoday.com/emily_feliz_bio.html