NextGen: Aviation’s smart phone

In a speech to the Wings Club, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt calls NextGen — the Next Generation Air Traffic Control system — “aviation’s smart phone.”

In the April 21 speech, Babbitt said:

“NextGen matches any of a number of technological breakthroughs that are familiar to us. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that NextGen is aviation’s smart phone. Just like the smart phones put lots of things right at your fingertips, NextGen brings together dozens of improvements in airports, avionics and air traffic control. NextGen offers use of GPS, voice and data communications, and internet access through something we call SWIM. These improvements, when bundled together, result in a much more efficient, responsive, “green” airspace system that serves the traveling public and supports our national economy.”

You can read the whole speech here.