One of the themes that I have been blogging on is that there is an inverse relationship between higher taxes and delivery of public services - the higher the taxes, the lower the services provided. The air traffic control "system" is a excellent case in point.
The U.S. air traffic control system has been relying on antiquated radar for years. The radar often breaks down and leaves controllers literally in the dark, sometimes at busy places like JFK in New York or at route control centers controlling the flow of airliners across whole sections of the country.
The FAA itself must shoulder a large part of the blame because it has muffed bringing a new system on line numerous times because of a Pentagon-like procurement system gone mad. Now, however, a new system relying on GPS technology is ready and enjoys the support of the airlines.
The new ADS-B system would give FAA controllers and pilots instant awareness of all aircraft around them with altitude and speed. It will also allow jets to go cross country on routes of their own choosing instead of following the venerable (and crowded) jet routes developed at the dawn of commercial aviation that are tied to ground-based navigation facilities. If implemented, the new system would lower flight delays by an estimated 21% and fuel burn by 1.4 billion gallons over the next eight years. Sounds great - so what's the catch? Well, that would be Congress.
The cost of the new system is $2-$4 billion and Congress is balking at the cost. Never mind that every time we fly we pay a ticket tax of $10-$14 or more to fund the air traffic control system - it's just much more fun to spend the money on non-airline related pork projects like bridges to nowhere, another federal building in West Virginia named after Sen. Byrd, or any one of several million other oinkers. Yes indeed, here is something that really would improve public safety and economic efficiency but because no senator or representative can put their name on it, so there it sits gathering dust. Repeat after me: they are from the government and they are there to help us!
www.airportbusiness.com/web/online/Top-News-Headlines/Air-Traffic-Modernization-on-Congress-Radar-Funding-Isnt/1$34950
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