Frequently Asked Questions

What is NextGen?
Why is NextGen needed?
What does the Joint Planning and Development Office do?
What government agencies are involved?
Who is ultimately in charge of NextGen?
What are NextGen's key capabilities?
What are the working groups? What do they do?
What is the NextGen Institute? What is its role?
What does Global Harmonization mean? Why is it so important to the success of NextGen?
What is the Enterprise Architecture?
What is the Concept of Operations?
What is the Integrated Work Plan?
How do the key planning documents work together?
What is the Operational Evolution Partnership?
What is ADS-B?
What is the FAA's Capstone program in Alaska?
What is the Continuous Descent Approch?
Can helicopters take advantage of ADS-B?
What is Network Enabled Operations?
How is NextGen dealing with the impact of weather on airline operations?
Does NextGen address environmental issues?
How much will NextGen cost?
How will NextGen deal with security issues?
How does NextGen support the General Aviation community?


Back to topWhat is NextGen?
NextGen, shorthand for the Next Generation Air Transportation System, refers to a wide-ranging initiative to transform the air traffic control system.  It focuses on leveraging new technologies, such as satellite-based navigation, surveillance, and networking.   The initiative involves meaningful collaboration among government departments and agencies as well as companies in the aerospace and related industries.

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Back to topWhy is NextGen needed?
Currently, the U.S. air transportation system handles roughly 50,000 flights over a 24-hour period.  By 2025, air traffic is projected to increase two-to-three fold, equating to 100,000-150,000 flights every 24 hours. It is acknowledged that the current U.S. air transportation system will not be able to meet these air traffic demands.  

To meet this challenge, legislation, enacted into law in 2003, commonly referred to as Vision 100, Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (P.L. 108-176), endorsed the concept of the Next Generation Air Transportation System and directed formation of the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) to facilitate the process.  NextGen is about a long-term transformation of the national airspace system.

Back to topWhat does the Joint Planning and Development Office do?
Under enabling legislation, the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) was established to facilitate NextGen activities.  Its task is to create and carry out an integrated plan for NextGen, spearhead planning, and coordinate research, demonstrations and development in conjunction with relevant programs of other departments and agencies, and with the private sector.  

Back to topWhat government agencies are involved? 
In transforming the national airspace system, JPDO is working with the FAA, NASA, the Departments of Transportation, Defense, Homeland Security, Commerce, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Back to topWho is ultimately in charge of NextGen? 
The Senior Policy Committee of JPDO directs the NextGen initiative. The committee is chaired by the Secretary of Transportation, and includes the Undersecretary for Policy of the Department of Transportation; Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration; Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Secretary of the United States Air Force, representing the Department of Defense; Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce; Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; and the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Back to topWhat are NextGen’s key capabilities?
NextGen lists eight “key capabilities” that will enable it to transform the national air transportation system. The eight capabilities are:

  1. Network Enabled Information Access
  2. Performance-Based Services
  3. Weather-Assimilated Decision-Making
  4. Layered, Adaptive Security
  5. Broad-Area Precision Navigation
  6. Aircraft Trajectory-Based Operations
  7. Equivalent-Visual Operations   
  8. Super Density Operations 

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Back to topWhat are the working groups?  What do they do?
The working groups are made up of government and industry experts, each of which specializes in developing one of NextGen’s key capabilities. There are nine working groups dealing with the following subject areas:

  1. Aircraft
  2. Airports
  3. Navigation Services
  4. Environment
  5. Global Harmonization
  6. Net-Centric Operations
  7. Safety
  8. Security  
  9. Weather

The working groups are comprised of expert teams whose work results in specific fact-based conclusions.  The conclusions lead to recommendations that can be integrated into current NextGen development programs.  At the same time, working group recommendations are different than those in current programs that could be catalysts for a change of direction in certain areas of development.  Each Federal agency within JPDO leads one of the working groups that best utilizes its area of knowledge. 

Back to topWhat is the NextGen Institute?  What is its role?

To further promote the public/private industry partnership, the NextGen Institute was created to incorporate the expertise of industry, state and local government, and academia into the NextGen planning process.  The major functions of the Institute are to (1) find private sector expertise and services to execute formal tasks and activities; (2) establish processes and procedures to support private sector engagement in JPDO; and (3) enable full and open private sector involvement in JPDO working groups and divisions. 

The Institute Management Council (IMC) oversees the policy, recommendations, and products of the NextGen Institute.  The IMC is also responsible for reviewing the Institute’s contract selection to ensure it remains fair and effective.  IMC members are selected to provide a broad representation of the civil aviation community and a commitment to the transformation of the national air transportation system.  It is co-chaired by the presidents of the Air Traffic Control Association and the Air Transport Association.     

Back to topWhat does Global Harmonization mean?  Why is it so important to the success of NextGen?
Intercontinental travel is, of course, a key element of the world’s air transportation system.  “Global Harmonization” is the technical term for coordinating NextGen activities with our counterparts throughout the world.

The FAA entered into an agreement with the European Commission (EC), which formalized cooperation between the NextGen initiative and its European counterpart, the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) program.  The FAA and EC are following through to identify opportunities and, as appropriate, establish timelines to implement common, interoperable, performance-based air traffic management systems and technologies.

Back to topWhat is the Enterprise Architecture? 
The Enterprise Architecture is a blueprint of NextGen.  As the consolidated “picture” of the future, it provides a general description of NextGen’s abilities, how they work together as a total package, and what it will look like upon completion.  It comprehensively defines the future system, the timetable for implementation, and its impact on the aviation community.

Back to topWhat is the Concept of Operations?
The NextGen Concept of Operations (ConOps), likened to an architect’s preliminary drawings, is a technical document that describes how NextGen will work from an operational standpoint, and what it will look like in the year 2025. Developed concurrently with the Enterprise Architecture, ConOps is critical to developing NextGen’s specific requirements.  ConOps forms a technological baseline to help stimulate the development of policies that can further improve NextGen.

Back to topWhat is the Integrated Work Plan?
The Integrated Work Plan (IWP) is an evolutionary plan that describes how NextGen is being developed to meet the nation’s need for air transportation safety, security, mobility, efficiency, and capacity.  It provides the integrated framework to achieve the NextGen vision.  It describes the transition from the current to the end state defined in the Concept of Operations and Enterprise Architecture.  It will continually be refined and enhanced to reflect current priorities, budgets, and programs.  In short, the IWP is the JPDO plan to achieve NextGen.

Back to topHow do the key planning documents work together?
The NextGen Concept of Operations was released on June 13 and the NextGen Enterprise Architecture on June 22.  Both documents were developed to guide the critical decisions necessary to achieve the transformation of the air transportation system.  The release of these documents are major milestones in achieving the goals of the Joint Planning and Development Office.

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Back to topWhat is the Operational Evolution Partnership?
The FAA has designated the Operational Evolution Partnership (OEP) as the mechanism for guiding, monitoring and reporting the FAA’s portion of the transition to NextGen.  As much a process as a plan, OEP spans all phases of NextGen development.  It establishes the path from validating the concept through applications research and system engineering, to acquisition and implementation.

OEP Version 1, published in June 2007, describes the framework for the implementation plan.  It zeroes in on an ongoing assessment of how existing FAA resources support NextGen and highlights gaps to be filled by future work.  The framework is already being used to focus on formulating the FY09 budget, and to develop the agency’s strategic planning goals.  It focuses on core commitments, prototypes, pilot projects and activities awaiting policy decisions, and research and development activities.  Current subjects of investigation include airport development, aircraft and operator requirements, and air traffic operations.

Back to topWhat is ADS-B? 
One of NextGen’s most promising initiatives with potential for broad operational applications is Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), a technology that could revolutionize air navigation and surveillance, and be the backbone of the future system.  In fact, some companies, such as United Parcel Service (UPS), are already using ADS-B in their operations, and are realizing savings in jet fuel and faster delivery schedules.

ADS-B uses GPS satellites and ground-based equipment to allow aircraft to broadcast their transmissions with greater frequency and accuracy than the current land-based legacy radar systems.  With ADS-B, pilots will see exactly what the air traffic controller sees.

Back to topWhat is the FAA’s Capstone program in Alaska?
The Capstone program is a long-term, highly successful application of ADS-B in a non-radar environment.  ADS-B, one of NextGen’s essential foundational technologies, will continue its development with the goal of deployment throughout Alaska.  Since initial deployment, general aviation accidents have decreased by 40%.  The practical information provided by this FAA program has also proven invaluable in guiding the development of NextGen.

Back to topWhat is the Continuous Descent Approach?
The United Parcel Service (UPS) is using ADS-B in trials at its hub in Louisville, Kentucky. The company is realizing savings while simultaneously reducing the adverse environmental impact of its flight operations.  The traditional “step-down” landing approach requires planes to use high thrust to level off at different stages, resulting in more fuel burn and additional noise and pollution.  ADS-B allows for an improved landing procedure called Continuous Descent Approach (CDA). 

Taking advantage of improved situational awareness, CDA permits planes to constantly descend from cruise altitude all the way to touch-down.  Using CDA, UPS reduced flight time, allowing more planes to land, while cutting back on emissions and noise.  Once ADS-B is fully implemented, UPS anticipates an annual fuel reduction of 800,000 gallons.  Furthermore, the company forecasts a 30% decrease in noise and an emissions reduction of 34% in the vicinity of airports (3,000 feet or below).    

Back to topCan helicopters take advantage of ADS-B?
The FAA signed a Memorandum of Agreement with helicopter operators, and oil and gas platform owners in the Gulf of Mexico to improve air traffic control in the region. 

Currently, most helicopters operating offshore in the Gulf cannot communicate or be seen by air traffic controllers, requiring pilots to rely mostly on visual flight rules.  As a result, helicopter service to offshore platforms is severely curtailed in poor visibility conditions. 

With ADS-B equipment installed on aircraft and platforms, helicopters are able to transmit critical position information to the Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center, resulting in improved communications.  This allows for continued helicopter activity on platforms in poor visibility in contrast to periodic weather-related stoppages.

Back to topWhat is Network-Enabled Operations? 
 Network-Enabled Operations (NEO) refers to the ability to link together information from a wide range of sources.  It is a high priority for JPDO and NextGen partner agencies.  NEO provides a platform for interested parties to have consistent, up-to-date, secure, and simultaneous access to the same information.   

Back to topHow is NextGen dealing with the impact of weather on airline operations?
In testimony before Congress, the FAA stated that 70% of today’s commercial airline delays are due to bad weather.  The good news: Up to 60% of these delays are avoidable.  In this regard, a NextGen initiative is zeroing in on a new approach to the role of weather information in managing aircraft operations. 

In this effort, the emphasis is on better decision-making when dealing with adverse weather.  When implemented, the plan has the potential to substantially increase the efficiency and overall capacity of the system.  How? Air traffic controllers, the flight crew, and others will have common access to weather reports nationwide to help ease the impact of adverse weather conditions. 

Back to topDoes NextGen address environmental issues?
In today’s world, environmental concerns are front and center.  And NextGen is “thinking green.”  A key objective is to develop environmental protection that allows sustained aviation growth.  In this regard, in efforts to be a good neighbor, environmentally speaking, JPDO is working to set “green goals.”  JPDO and its government and industry partners are focusing on three primary environmental concerns: aviation noise, air quality, water quality, and fuel consumption. 

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Back to topHow much will NextGen cost?
In 2006, JPDO delivered the initial cost estimates for NextGen.  The expected cost through 2012 is estimated at $4.6 billion for the FAA Air Traffic Organization.  That is $4.3 billion in the Air Traffic Organization Capital Appropriation and $300 million in research, engineering and development.  Of the $4.3 billion, an estimated $1.3 billion would be directed to ongoing programs that directly support NextGen.  An estimated $3 billion is for efforts that will be rolled out over the next five years.

Mid- and long-term cost estimates have also been developed based on the current five-year picture.  Total federal spending will range from $8 billion to $10 billion through FY2017, and $15 billion to $22 billion through 2025.

Back to topHow will NextGen deal with security issues?
Providing a high level of security in air transportation is a major goal for NextGen, which envisions a layered, adaptive security system.  This means a system that depends on multiple technologies, policies, and procedures that adapt to individual situations, and can change according to the threat level.  Other security measures will be in place as additional roadblocks to neutralize the threat, whether it is in the airport, on the plane, or in the air. 

Back to topHow does NextGen support the General Aviation community?

  • Preservation of Small Airports. JPDO recognizes the importance of the 20,000-plus airfields which support the General Aviation community.

  • Equivalent Visual Operations in Marginal IMC. With NextGen, for example, bad weather will not have an adverse impact on flight.  In most situations, pilots will be able to proceed with operations as if the weather is clear.

  • Better Weather Information. Better weather information will help disseminate weather situational awareness and create a common weather picture for all pilots.

  • Greater Access to Terminal Airspace. The flexible management of the airspace, coupled with improved weather forecast accuracy, new communications, and surveillance and navigational capabilities, allows access to more airspace, more of the time, with reduced impact on traffic flows.  This will maximize access for all traffic, while supporting the principle of giving an advantage to those aircraft with advanced capabilities that support the air traffic management system.  In addition, because of the reduced "footprint" required for these operations, classic VFR operations will have more access around major airports.

  • Security Targeted to Risk.  The assessment of risks under NextGen provides a prioritized list of vulnerabilities and potential mitigation.  For example, external attacks on aircraft may be an issue at some airports, requiring mitigation.  Fortunately, this means that most General Aviation airports will not be as vulnerable to these risks.