6
Summary
The assessment committee considers the timely preparation of the first edition of the Integrated Plan to be a positive first step. The plan recognizes the critical importance of air transportation to the nation’s well-being and acknowledges that importance by including a wide variety of stakeholders in the process of developing NGATS. Even so, substantial improvements in the Integrated Plan and the method by which it is being implemented are essential.
Summary Recommendation. The secretary of transportation, the FAA administrator, the rest of the Senior Policy Committee, and the JPDO should invigorate development, implementation, and operation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System, especially with regard to the development of core technologies and processes, as follows:
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Focus the work of the JPDO on development of a systematic, risk-based approach for achieving the primary objective, which is to resolve demand issues and increase capacity while also satisfying enabling, interrelated requirements for safety, security, environmental effects, consumer satisfaction, and industrial competitiveness.
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Restructure the JPDO as a product-driven organization with three coordinated operational concepts and three IPTs focused on (1) airport operations, (2) terminal area operations, and (3) en route and oceanic operations (plus the Master IPT for systems integration and oversight).
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Consistently provide the JPDO and its IPTs with strong, fully involved leadership and program management capabilities, along with more full-time staff.
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Draw up a plan to establish a viable source of stable funding and a governance structure suited to the Next Generation Air Transportation System.
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Undertake a more vigorous effort to collaborate with foreign governments and institutions, to include jointly funded, collaborative research to define operational concepts suitable for global implementation.