FAA, JetBlue To Bring NextGen Precision To East Coast, Caribbean Routes

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FAA, JetBlue To Bring NextGen Precision To East Coast, Caribbean Routes By Eddy Metcalf

		February 4, 2011 - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Thursday that the FAA and JetBlue have signed a NextGen agreement that will allow the airline to fly more precise, satellite-based flights from Boston and New York to Florida and the Caribbean beginning in 2012. NextGen is the transformation of the U.S. national airspace system from a ground-based system of air traffic control to one based on satellites, which will enhance safety and reduce aviation congestion. Today’s NextGen announcement follows President Obama’s State of the Union Address last week, in which he stressed the importance of targeted investments to foster American innovation that will make our nation more competitive globally and strengthen our economy here at home.

“In his State of the Union address, President Obama called for targeted investments that harness American innovation to strengthen our nation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “NextGen is a critical investment in the future of our transportation system, one that uses the latest technology to transform our airspace to make aviation safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly.” Under the agreement, as many as 35 of JetBlue’s A320 aircraft will be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) avionics over the next two years, enabling them to fly in two major routes off the East Coast even if traditional radar coverage is not available. The improved accuracy, integrity and reliability of aircraft surveillance under ADS-B will allow JetBlue to take advantage of these routes at all times since the satellite-based system tracks the precise position of aircraft. The agreement will also allow JetBlue to fly a new route to the Caribbean, and could lead to the development of two new, shorter ADS-B-only routes to the Caribbean from Boston, New York and Washington. The FAA will collect valuable NextGen data by observing and conducting real-time operational evaluations of ADS-B on revenue flights.

“NextGen will help improve the travel experience for passengers and give airlines more flexibility to find the most efficient way to reach their destinations,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “This agreement will allow us to collect important data to further demonstrate the benefits of NextGen.”

“As the youngest major airline in the United States, with a majority of our operations in the Northeast – arguably the most airspace in the world – JetBlue enthusiastically joins the FAA in this effort to begin rebuilding the skyways,” said JetBlue Airways CEO Dave Barger. “Our investment today will yield dividends far into the future, not just for JetBlue but for all airlines. Our customers and crewmembers deserve our best efforts.”

		The FAA has agreed to pay $4.2 million for the ADS-B avionics. JetBlue will provide flight operations, pilots, and aircraft maintenance and will pay for the cost of aircraft downtime while the ADS-B avionics are installed. JetBlue will also fund the necessary training for dispatchers and flight crews, including simulator time. The airline will demonstrate the cost savings of ADS-B technology and potentially equip the rest of its A320 fleet at its own expense with ADS-B avionics. Other News Stories Northrop's E-2D Hawkeye Completes First Carrier Landing Senate Republican Seeks To Block TSA Collective Bargaining Rights Brendan Airways Pilots Withdraw From Voluntary ASAP Average Domestic Air Fares Up 10% Highest Newark Lowest Atlantic City OIG To Review FAA’s Air Traffic Facility Realignment And Consolidation TSA Testing Airport Imaging Software To Enhance Passenger Privacy FAA Certifies Alakai’s Flight Data System (FDM) On AS350 Helicopters Aviation Pioneer Founder Of Kaman Aircraft Passed Away At 91 Pilot’s Roles And Responsibilities During Visual Approaches TSA Halts Private Security Applications At Our Nation’s Airports Air New Zealand’s All Black A320 Touches Down At LAX Airport Boeing Rejects The WTO’s Final Findings DOT Secretary Views On “The Future of Aviation In America” Pilot Leaders From 7 US Airways Express Airlines Finalize Alliance Southwest Airlines Donates $300,000 In Travel To Help Make-A-Wish Foundation Court Ruling Helps Preserve Access To Santa Monica Airport Lightspeed Aviation Provides $100,000 To Aviation Related Charities Hartsfield-Jackson Remains Busiest Airport In The World Aerobatic Single Place Folding Wing Aircraft Makes First Flight Boeing Receives $1.6B Contract For P-8A Poseidon Aircraft Proposed Change To Irish And UK Airspace Transition Altitude Jeppesen, India’s Jet Airways Sign 5 Year EFB Class 2 Contract EADS CEO Testifies Before SASC On The KC-X Competition Disclosure FAA Approves Croatia As Meeting International Aviation Standards Airbus A330 MRTT Performs “Wet Contacts” With Two F-18 Fighters Canada’s DATS Receives AMO Certification On The SAAB 340 Aircraft The 5Th And Final Flight Test For The G650 Aircraft Took To The Skies Historic Aircraft Collection, Airport, And Endowment Donated To College Allegiant Air Flight Attendants Vote Yes Dispatchers No To Unionizing Horizon Air Retiring Its Public Brand, Adopting Alaska Airlines' Eskimo Cessna Hits Stride With Skycatcher Light Sport Aircraft Deliveries