President Obama on Monday requested higher funds for FAA and its Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), reflecting an emphasis on improving the air traffic control infrastructure.

The Department of Transportation said the increased funding for NextGen will begin to address the recommendations proposed by the RTCA NextGen Task Force, which released a series of recommendations last fall.

Overall, FAA’s FY2011 budget request was $16.5 billion, roughly 3 percent higher than the FY2010 enacted budget. Included in that was $1.1 billion to accelerate the implementation of NextGen. This represents an increase of $275 million over FY2010 levels.

"This budget reflects our priorities and values by continuing to invest in safety, livable communities and an improved national transportation system," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement Monday.

Among the NextGen programs:

∑ Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) received $176 million.

∑ Data Comm received $153 million to accelerate the transition from voice-based systems to a data communications system.

∑ Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) received $95 million.

∑ System-Wide Information Management (SWIM) budget request increased $35.5 million to $92 million.

∑ Funds for Collaborative Air Traffic Management increased to $75.5 million.

∑ Required Navigation Performance (RNP) funds increased $25 million.

NextGen and the future of the National Airspace System (NAS) are the topics of conversation at the RTCA Symposium. Avionics Magazine is a premier partner of the symposium, set for April 6-7 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C.

For more information on how to register:

www.rtcaspringsymposium.com

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