Air Traffic Control as a Quasi-Private Corporation

Abstract

In recent decades most developed countries have converted their air traffic control system from a branch of the national transport agency, funded by the government, to a kind of public utility, paid for directly by its aviation customers (airlines and private planes). This change has produced a number of improvements in performance, productivity, and customer-responsiveness with no adverse impact on aviation safety. The United States, with the world’s largest air traffic system by far, has stood apart from this trend, despite growing support for change from researchers, policy makers, and some—but not all—aviation stakeholders. This chapter explores the reasons for changes in other countries and the resistance to change in the United States.

Glossary

A4A

Airlines for America, formerly known as ATA.

AAAA

Alliance for Aviation Across America, a grass-roots group of rural and small-city officials funded largely by NBAA.

ADS-B

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, a way to keep track of aircraft position based on GPS signals.

AOPA

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, an organization representing pilots of small private planes.

ARINC

Aeronautical Radio Inc., formerly a nonprofit corporation but today part of a large aerospace company.

ATA

Air Transport Association, former name of A4A.

ATC

Air traffic control, the system used to keep planes safely separated while in flight.

ATO

Air Traffic Organization, the part of the FAA that is responsible for air traffic control.

BRT

Business Round Table, a group representing large companies.

CAB

Civil Aeronautics Board, a now-defunct federal agency that was the economic regulator of commercial airlines.

CANSO

Civil Air Navigation Services Organization, the trade association for ATC providers worldwide.

DOT

U.S. Department of Transportation.

FAA

Federal Aviation Administration, the agency that regulates aviation safety and operates the ATC system.

FSS

Flight Service Stations, FAA facilities that provide services to private pilots.

GAO

Government Accountability Office, formerly known as the General Accounting Office.

GBAS

Ground-Based Augmentation System, a system that augments GPS signals to guide planes to a safe landing.

GPS

Global Positioning System, a global satellite constellation that provides location and timing information to people and vehicles on the ground and in the air.

1CAO

International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN agency for coordinating international aviation.

ILS

Instrument Landing System, a 1940s technology that guides planes to landings at airports.

KPI

Key performance indicators.

NATCA

National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the union representing FAA air traffic controllers.

NBAA

National Business Aviation Association, the organization representing operators of primarily jet and turboprop aircraft used for business.

OMB

Office of Management and Budget, the White House budget office.

PBN

Performance-Based Navigation, a system based on self-monitored performance of precision navigation equipment on board the aircraft.

TCAS

Threat Collision Avoidance System, a system designed to anticipate mi-air collisions and have the plane take evasive action.

TRACON

Terminal Radar Approach Control, an ATC facility that assists planes in transitioning between airspace around an airport and high-altitude airspace.

TRB

Transportation Research Board, part of the National Academy of Sciences.

USATS

U.S. Air Traffic Services Corporation, a Clinton Administration proposal for a self-supporting ATC corporation.