[LINK] Flying through clouds

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

The Yank Federal Aviation Administration is in the process of creating
a 'NextGen' system for the centralized control of US domestic aircraft.

That is, replacing airport radar systems with satellites and computers.

I guess you could say it will be a cloud based management system. Must
say, I'm not entirely convinced I would want to fly through the clouds.

 http://www.faa.gov/nextgen

NextGen Implementation

"The Next Generation Air Transportation System is a transformative change 
in the management and operation of how we fly. NextGen enhances safety, 
reduces delays, saves fuel and reduces aviation’s adverse environmental 
impact. This comprehensive initiative, which is already providing 
benefits, integrates new and existing technologies, including satellite 
navigation and advanced digital communications. Airports and aircraft in 
the National Airspace System will be connected to NextGen’s advanced 
infrastructure and will continually share real-time information to 
provide a better travel experience."

Of course and as usual with ICT, things aren't going according to plan.

http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-223

What GAO Found

"In a review of 30 major ATC acquisition programs, all of which will 
contribute to the transition to NextGen, GAO found that costs for 11 of 
the 30 programs have increased from their initial estimates by a total of 
$4.2 billion and 15 programs experienced delays.

The 11 acquisitions that experienced cost increases account for over 60 
percent of FAA’s total acquisition costs ($11 billion of $17.7 billion) 
for the 30 programs. 

The 15 acquisitions that experienced schedule delays, of which 10 also 
had cost increases, ranged from 2 months to more than 14 years and 
averaged 48 months.

Cost increases and schedule delays occurred due to several factors, many 
of which have been longstanding challenges for FAA. Specifically, these 
have involved (1) additional or unanticipated system requirements; (2) 
insufficient stakeholder involvement (such as controllers’ input) 
throughout system development; (3) underestimating the complexity of 
software development; and (4) unanticipated events including funding 
shortfalls or work toppages. 

These challenges, if they persist, will impede the implementation of 
NextGen, especially in light of the interdependencies among many 
acquisition programs, where cost increases or delays in one program can 
affect the costs and schedules of other programs.."

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Cheers,
Stephen