GPS Could Save Airlines Billions in Fuel and Reduce Flight Times
The GPS system would replace the currently aging system of aerial highways that use use radar and radio beacons to guide planes. The use of GPS would allow planes to fly the shortest route between two points, shaving time off of flights and saving fuel.
Unfortunately, NextGen isn't expected to be ready until at least 2020, but the airlines are expected to provide $15 billion of the estimated $35 billion the project will cost. The airlines will also have to retrofit their planes with a new $200,000 GPS system. Considering their current struggles to stay profitable, carriers are understandably reluctant to layout such a large amount of cash to start equipping aircraft with a system that is still 10+ years from being functional.
If the system ever actually gets off the ground, it could keep many carriers from slipping into the red, but as with any massive government-funded program it's unlikely it'll be completed on time or on budget. Expect to see the first NextGen equipped planes to be rolled out around 2130 at a price of $3 bazillion per plane. [From: USA Today]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bill @ Oct 10th 2008 9:09PM
Luckily for those of us flying high-performance general aviation airplanes, the ability to fly point-to-point is already here. Much of the time when away from the major hubs, ATC allows us to "go direct." Many of the air carriers have the capability also, but the terminal airspace structure at the hubs limits the use.
And the use of WAAS capable GPS systems now allows much lower approach minimums at many smaller general aviation airports.
Avionics has been the big improvement in aviation in recent years.
Brian @ Oct 10th 2008 10:24PM
Why will it take over a decade and why in the heck does it cost 200k per plane?
I assume most of that must be the price to license software... from what I understand, most aircraft have some pretty darn accurate GPS system.
Moongrim @ Oct 11th 2008 9:40AM
Horsefeathers!
You read all the time about GPS followers making wrong turns. The FAA doesn't know squat about the limitations of GPS. Six feet worth of difference can make the difference between a successful landing and a disaster.
The FAA is just determined to do to N.A.S. what Quisling did to Sweden.
reirobt @ Oct 14th 2008 12:03AM
Moongrim -- Your statement is very incorrect. I have 6 years of direct command and control & User segment GPS experience. The FAA is very informed on the positional accuracy limitations & capabilities of GPS.
warner @ Oct 12th 2008 5:30AM
When do gps fliers make "wrong turns"?
Angiebaby @ Oct 11th 2008 10:18AM
If they could develop a system to save $$ on ticket fares and reduce flight delays they would catch my interest....
PlasticPilot @ Oct 13th 2008 3:07PM
Despite the new system will bring some advantages (mostly for runway incursions... on ground), it will not solve the present causes of delays, which are mostly:
1) Lack of runway capacity
2) Weather
3) Lack of air traffic controllers.
Read a more detailled review of these reasons on http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/2008/10/13/why-nextgen-will-not-triple-the-atc-capacity/