A recent story from NPR news discusses the issue of America’s air traffic control system:

A recent story from NPR news discusses the issue of America’s air traffic control system:
“The radar system used to guide U.S. flights is more than 40 years old, which may help explain why nearly one-quarter of all those flights are late. The Federal Aviation Administration wants to phase out radar and roll out a satellite-based air traffic control system, NextGen, which is based on the same GPS technology now used in cars.

Air traffic controllers and pilots would have instantaneous information on the location of any plane at any time. Supporters of the system say it would allow planes to fly closer together, making more room in the sky for additional flights and cutting delays. But it will cost the government as much as $20 billion to update its air traffic control operations, and the airline industry will have to spend another $20 billion for new equipment and training. Some airlines are already spending money on upgrades to be ready for NextGen, which is scheduled to be up and running by 2025. But so far, Washington has not anted up the cash the FAA needs to modernize.”

The story goes on to say that “The House is moving forward with legislation similar to what it passed last year, and some of the issues that dragged down that legislation could return. Those include a passenger bill of rights, a ban on cell phones in flight and labor issues with traffic controllers. Dorgan [Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)] says the Senate is writing its own bill and will hold another round of hearings this spring.”

For the full story, please visit: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102914658.