“It''s not that we don''t know that we''ve had a problem with air traffic control, but it takes too long. And then technology changes, money changes, administrations change. So we have to do this really fast. And so the Congress has to give us all the money up front. ”
Secretary Duffy also made his case to NBC News, making clear the need for large sums of money appropriated from Congress for fast action:
What does Secretary Duffy want “all the money up front” for? Try, “Top technology that''s going to be deployed” like:
- Replacing copper cables with fiber
- Replacing radars, “some of the newest models that we have date back to like 1982”
- “Brand new terminals for air traffic controllers”
- “We''re going to have sensors on runways” for when air traffic controllers cannot see the entire airport to help track aircraft.
All of this technology will work with the Runway Incursion Devices (RID) being installed across 74 airports in the US. The FAA described the RID as a memory aid that indicates whether a runway and/or taxiway is occupied by a vehicle or aircraft or closed altogether. This should help reduce "near miss" incidents to prevent two aircraft colliding on the runway or taxiway.
Related
FAA Will Install Runway Incursion System At 74 Airports
The system is already online at four airports, including Austin-Bergstrom, Denver-Centennial, Kansas City-Downton, and Portland International.
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Secretary Duffy has also recruited some of Elon Musk’s SpaceX engineers to help develop plans for the above. Simple Flying has already reported on that aspect.
Related
Elon Musk''s SpaceX Team Will Visit FAA Air Traffic Control Command Center
Both Sean Duffy and Elon Musk said that SpaceX, and not the DOGE, will visit the FAA''s center in Virginia.
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But few are writing about what could replace 1960s-1980s radar. Let''s fix that.
Better radars are available
Additionally, radars from 1982 and older are not just at least 42-43 years old – but lack today’s technology advancements like RTX Corporation''s Raytheon’s GhostEye MR which includes “active electronically scanned array or AESA – boosting detection targeting tracking – and military-grade gallium nitride or GaN strengthening radar signal enhancing sensitivity longer range higher resolution increased capacity.” Another potential solution is Raytheon’s Skyler capable becoming networked system AESA radars detecting low flying aircraft plus drones simultaneously providing weather surveillance leaping new era air traffic control more.
Rising crisis in US Air Traffic Control
There has been a rising crisis in US Air Traffic Control for some time As Capt Jason Ambrosi president Air Line Pilots Association Int’l ALPA described Decem- ber Senate Commerce Science Transportation Aviation Safety Subcommittee;
"We have seen in several near-miss incidents including particularly close call Austin February last year pilots final line defense ensuring safety aviation operators system pilots vested interest Federal Aviation Administration sus- taining legacy systems advancing technological infrastructure improvements en- suring National Airspace System remains safe efficient However system poten- tial being fully realized part many airliners properly equipped take advantage updated capabilities Resources kept inflation effectively require agency prio- ritize sustainment detriment modernization infrastructure needs "
These near-miss incidents continued occur recent tragedy over Potomac River Southwest Airlines Boeing San Diego last October:
Recently CNBC Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan shared view Trump Administra- tion needed "modernization" decades Partially improve airspace productivity
These few examples airline industry leadership speaking insisting investment into air traffic controlAirlines For America recently called rapid modernization air traffic controlBottom line Clear mandate modernizing air traffic control Additionally Secre- tary Duffy shared March NTSB Preliminary Report January mid-air collision Ame- rican Eagle CRJ final Reagan National Airport Army Blackhawk low-fly route:"I think honor them pay forward fixing system making better making work "Secretary Duffy clear conference modernization happen quickly alongside tech- nology keeping commercial aviation safe Ultimately give Secretary last word"We brand new system best best state art I think America We deserve putting everything give America best possible "The plan details expected week
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