Introduction
The Next Generational Air Transport System (NGATS) is the most recent modernization project managed by the U.S national airspace system. The operations of the NGATS began in 2007 when Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hinted at improving the goals of using new technologies in aiding safety, access, flexibility, and predictability of the airspace (Kearns, 2019). Reducing the environmental impacts of aviation formulate the critical objective of NGATS in adopting many policies, procedures, and technologies in shifting traffic control from a ground-based system to a satellite-oriented system. The report aims to expand readers’ understanding of the five concepts of NGATS; in this case, communication, navigation, surveillance, information management, and automation were isolated as significant issues.
Communications
The air traffic management operations of NGATS depend on proper communication. The operational strategy of collaborative traffic management simplifies the aviation airspace’s capacity and flow contingency management. FAA foresee the implementation of the Controller Pilot Data Link (CPDL) in the coordination of digital types messages and voice communications. The operational plot of NGATS accommodates both typed messages and supplemented voice records to improve the connectivity of pilots and air traffic controllers (Liu et al., 2020). The data communication program at NGATS added the CPDL to allow shared messages to be delivered to the intended aircraft. The approach reduces the chances of a strange pilot acting on instructions for another aircraft.
Surveillance
NGATS operates on the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) in changing the face of flight tracking. The operational concepts of ADS-B surveillance were equipped on January 1, 2020, to facilitate the reception of aircraft positions (Kearns, 2019). FAA initially used ground-based radar for surveillance; however, the need to automate signal transfer from air traffic controllers (ATC) enhanced FAA to install new GPS transponders through NGATS. ADS-B is advantageous because it creates domain awareness and collective security of integrated surveillance information. On the one hand, NGATS uses ADS-B Out to increase surveillance coverage in airspaces with physical limitations. While on the other hand, ADS-B In enables free sending of information service broadcast in relevant and safe traffic positions.
Security
The changing operations of aviation airspace require air transport companies to protect customer safety. The NGATS has security management and a collaborative framework that safeguards the airport, travelers, aircraft, mail, and checked baggage (Liu et al., 2020). Systems of operations at the FAA prioritizes integrated risk management; similarly, NGATS values the security of the people and the external environments of its operations. One such alternative to security concerns incorporates the use of advanced technologies in the attainment of low-visibility operations.
Automation
The elevation of ground-based traditional management policies in running aviation services ended with the routing of NGATS. The National Aviation System currently implements automated services developed by NGATS to improve quality customer services. For instance, the innovation of the air traffic control computer stations replaced the Host system in 2015; the modernization of computer stations has improved aircraft tracking to a maximum number of 1900 (Kearns, 2019). Previously the ATC could only track 1100 aircraft simultaneously.
Navigation
Navigation is an essential aspect of NGAT’s operation. The new system relies on Performance Based Navigation (PBN) to train pilots and move around destined routes. The PBN consists of a required and area navigation performance to achieve ground and space-oriented movements. The navigation concept of NGATS creates 3-D paths for flight in a repeatable, predictable, and precise approach. Onboard navigations lean on the area navigation technology because it consists of standard instrument departures, Q-routes, and T-routes.
Conclusion
The complaints by Americans regarding environmental hazards created by loud noise motivated the FAA to look for better operations alternatives to improve people’s well-being. NGATS was the required solution because it creates room for implementing numerous operational policies and strategies in running aviation services. The automation and communication frameworks of NGATS empower the security, surveillance, and navigation of the national airspace system.
References
Kearns, S. K. (2019). Engaging the next generation of aviation professionals. Engaging the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals, 2(1), 1-4.
Kearns, S. K. (2019). Retaining the next generation of aviation professionals. Engaging the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals, 4(1), 225-226.
Liu, C., Chen, H., Wang, S., Liu, Q., Jiang, Y. G., Zhang, D. W., & Zhou, P. (2020). Two-dimensional materials for next-generation computing technologies. Nature Nanotechnology, 15(7), 545-557.