ATC Privatization

Good evening everyone, 

The proposed "NextGen" technology has major improvements compared to the current structure of our ATC. Radar surveillance is the current technology used in the industry, and it is very similar to when it was created 30 years ago. Although radar is safely used throughout aviation today, it needs to be upgraded and modernized. NextGen technology is a satellite based control system that will change aviation for the best. It is made up of satellite reception between the GNSS constellation, communications satellites, ground based systems, and ADS-B in and optional ADS-B out within the aircrafts themselves (Wynbrandt, 2015). The satellite reception between all of these units will allow for real-time flight information such as location, altitude, speed, direction of flight, and tail number.  With the detail in location and information, this will allow for more efficient routing, closer seperation regulations, and increased safety measures.

General aviation has traditionally been against the privatization of ATC because they don't want to have to pay for services. Airlines however have a strong support for the privatization., except for Delta Air Lines. One of the major groups in support for privatization is the airline trade group, while AOPA is one the GA groups that is against it. Airlines believe that privitization will reduce operating costs. The new control system will seek a transformational change to the way that the air-traffic control system is financed and governed (Jansen, 2015). If the U.S. does privatize, we would not be the first country to do so.

ATC is privatized in 50 countries, but one of the major countries is Canada. Instead of being run by the government, ATC is run by a non-profit corporation called Nav Canada. In Britain, they are privatized as NATS, which is a for-profit publicly traded corporation (Meyer, 2016). Having a privatized ATC is much more efficient and even safer. For example, Canada has won three International Air Transport Association (IATA) Eagle Awards for the world's best ATC provider. According to the IATA, Nav Canada is a "global leader in delivering top-class performance" and are one runs one of the safest systems in the world (Meyer, 2016). They are able to accomplish this without any federal funding; instead, they are funded by publicly traded debt and service charges to aircraft operators (Mark, 2012). 

Currently the discussion about ATC privatization in the United States is a very hot topic, it was even included in the latest FAA Reauthorization discussion.  Even though the FAA is in charge of overlooking ATC, they are not able to authorize the privatization themselves since they are technically under the federal government through the DOT. In order for ATC to be privatized, there must be a bill through Congress allowing for it to happen.The discussion is currently at a standstill in the House because the Democrats oppose the bill.

I don't believe it would make much of a difference if our ATC were to be privatized or not. Our country has way more flights per day than every other country in the world, so it would be very difficult for a company to come in and take over our entire ATC community. With the new NextGen technology, our ATC will see major improvements compared to how it is currently run. Privatizing our ATC, would mostly just change how it is funded. In the end, I don't think that the end result would be worth the entire process and steps necessary to privatize ATC in the United States. 

References:

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2012-01-01/canadas-private-atc-system-offers-alternative-cost-cutting-nations

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jaredmeyer/2016/02/16/free-the-skies-privatizing-air-traffic-control/#6e773ed046ac

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/12/01/airline-executives-urge-privatization-air-traffic-control/76604766/

http://www.aeapilotsguide.net/pdf/08-09_Archive/PG08ADS-BInsideAndOut.pdf