FAA Seeks Air Traffic Control Modernization Vendors

[system]

Originally published at: FAA Seeks Air Traffic Control Modernization Vendors

Agency seeks scalable replacement for decades-old system in Air Traffic Control modernization bid.

[Gadfly]

The technology for a shift to pilot primary responsibility for separation by ADS-B IN/OUT has been available for a quarter century but blocked by the controllers’ union, TCAS bureaucracies and G/A concerns about taxation. Controllers should be a backup to the pilots and concentrate on traffic management. As such they would back up ALL flights (VFR+IFR) and probably require more rather than fewer controllers. Conflict between ATC and TCAS has already killed people and taxation awaits congressional action. The new system would relieve much of the stress of controlling and give the pilots earlier (2 minute) warning, allowing gentle resolution.