Historic Aviation System Disconnects and the Flight Systems Laboratory: Pivotal Pieces of the Transformation Puzzle

摘要

The current United States National Airspace System (NAS) is the largest, safest, and most efficient in the world. Numerous studies and blue ribbon panels, including most recently, the Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry have concluded, however, that today's aviation system cannot meet 21st Century needs. The NAS is not positioned to address future safety and efficiency issues, or the need to increase capacity three-fold. The future demands nothing less than a complete NAS transformation. The 108th Congress passed and President Bush signed into law an Act calling for an integrated, multi-agency plan to transform the nation's air transportation system to meet the needs of the year 2025, while providing substantial near-term benefits. The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS) initiative will address future critical safety and economic needs in civil aviation. Several historic aviation system disconnects affecting capacity, efficiency, and safety provide markers along the path to the NGATS. These fundamental disconnects will undermine our best transformation efforts if not addressed.