U.S. civil aircraft sales for 2011 are expected to total $49.7 billion, an increase of 3.2 percent over 2010, and the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) believes the sector will boost its revenue to $51.7 billion this year. But overall aerospace sales will likely experience a moderate decline in 2012 due to government cuts in space and defense.
Next Generation Air Transportation System
January 12, 2012 - 10:38am
Aerospace companies, airlines and communications providers have aligned to pursue the FAA’s Data Communications Integrated Services (DCIS) contract, the second major step in the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) modernization effort. The contenders expect a contract award in June for the 17-year, multibillion-dollar program.
January 10, 2012 - 3:25pm
Competing contractors have disclosed the industry teams they’ve assembled to pursue the FAA’s Data Communications Integrated Services (DCIS) contract, the second major step toward building the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). The DCIS contractor will provide a data communications network connecting ground and aircraft automation systems, enabling digital data communications between pilots and air traffic controllers starting in 2015.
January 2, 2012 - 5:50am
Former airline captain and pilot’s union president J. Randy Babbitt resigned abruptly as FAA Administrator on December 6 in the wake of a drunk-driving arrest in Northern Virginia, just outside the Washington, D.C., Beltway.
January 2, 2012 - 3:05am
The FAA’s ambitious ATC modernization effort known as the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) faces an unsettled 2012 and beyond after a number of setbacks in 2011.
January 1, 2012 - 3:10am
Despite the dire consequences predicted for Europe’s economy if the euro actually comes unglued, or the monthly chaos that ensues at the U.S. Congress’s failure to reauthorize the FAA, nudging close to the brink of financial disaster can sometimes lead to an epiphany and a new way to consider an old problem. Consider, for example, a nation’s air traffic control system.
December 20, 2011 - 12:59pm
Bedeviled by political gamesmanship and misfortune, it’s a wonder the FAA gets anything done—never mind accomplishing the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). With the latest transition in FAA leadership, we’ve come full circle to the situation that prevailed when President George W. Bush left office three years ago, with an interim administrator and no reauthorization.
December 13, 2011 - 1:50pm
The FAA should provide more detailed information on efforts to align with Europe on ATC modernization to mitigate “continuing skepticism” among aviation industry stakeholders, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).
December 8, 2011 - 1:44pm
Citing “continuing skepticism” among aviation industry stakeholders in both the U.S. and Europe, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has recommended that the FAA provide more information on its efforts to align with Europe on ATC modernization.
December 2, 2011 - 1:35pm
Digital data messaging between pilots and air traffic controllers is scheduled to begin replacing voice-based communications in U.S. airspace in the next three years.
