They’re calling it NextGen and billing it as a solution to our
congested airspace. NextGen replaces reliance on ground-based
radar with an increasing role for satellites and computers. In
some ways, Houston airports will be a proving ground for NextGen
technology, which is intended to save time, save fuel, and
literally smooth out your flight – from takeoff to landing. Most
of these changes will be invisible to you. They’re designed to
put more planes in the air – faster - by providing multiple
paths to cruising altitude. That’s critical, say federal
officials, so more passengers can get where they need to go.
“Our current air traffic control system simply can't accommodate
the anticipated growth,” said Deputy Transportation Secretary
John Porcari. “It's like building more cars without building the
highways that they would drive on.” And speaking of highways,
most air routes are still dictated by land-based considerations
since radar and communications are handed off from one site to
the next during flight. T