ATC Privatization

     The task of ensuring safe operations of commercial and private aircraft falls on Air Traffic Controllers (ATC). They must coordinate the movements of thousands of aircraft, keep them at safe distances from each other, direct them during takeoff and landing from airports, direct them around bad weather, and ensure that traffic flows smoothly with minimal delays. The ATC systems like Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC), Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC), Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT), and Flight Service Station (FSS) help controllers achieve their ultimate goal - To clear traffic and provide whatever information and assistance the pilot requests. The proposed NextGen is not one technology, product or goal. According to the FAA, the term NextGen encompasses dozens of innovative new technologies that's being developed and implemented after thorough testing for safety. Through the FAA's modernization efforts, they're creating new interconnected systems that fundamentally change and improve how the National Airspace System (NAS) users see, navigate and communicate. NextGen provides ATC with the exact location of aircraft and a clear vision of surrounding conditions. The FAA has switched to a satellite enabled navigation system that is more precise than traditional ground based navigation aids. Using these satellites enables the FAA to create optimum routes anywhere in the NAS through all phases of flight. And finally in the modernized NAS, aircraft must be able to receive dynamic, complex instructions from ground systems. Our new digital communications system helps pilots and ATC to communicate more quickly, more easily, and with less risk of miscommunication than radio messages over busy frequencies.
     I think one of the main reasons General Aviation (GA) has traditionally spoken against ATC privatization is because of the interests of the people behind it. The AOPA (Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association) and NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) are a couple of aviation associations against the privatization of ATC and they've launched media campaigns to counter what they call "gross misrepresentations" by the airline-backed groups supporting it. "Air traffic control privatization is the biggest threat to the future of our industry that we've ever seen" said Ed Bolen, president of the NBAA, during a panel discussion among GA leaders on Oct 10, 2017 at the NBAA convention in Vegas. House bill 2997 would transfer ATC and it's billions of dollars in assets from the FAA to a 13-member board controlled by airline interests. As far as I can tell from my research, privatization of air traffic controls has been heavily precluded in the EU (European Union). Even in Russia, the authorities have  strong control over their aviation nationwide. But in Canada the case is different. In 1996, the government of Canada was faced with a large and continuing deficit, it was looking for a way to rid itself of things that cost money like the Air traffic control system. Then Nav Canada, a privately run, non-profit corporation that owns and operates Canada's civil air navigation system, assumed control of the ATC system from Transport Canada. According to an article written in January of 2012 by Robert P Mark for AINonline on AINonline .com, transitioning to a privately run ATC has so far been eneficial in terms of  fee structure and they put safety first, not business.
     The bill to privatize ATV will have to go through the house and congress. At this point congress still faces the decision to privatize ATC or not. The chairman of the house transportation committee Rep. Bill Shuster's bill to spin off ATC operations which has been endorsed by President Donald Trump advanced out of the committee. Members of congress from both chambers and parties remain unconvinced.
     Lastly, do I feel the current ATC system would be more effective if it was privatized ? I really don't know. There are ways of turning it over to private owners and making it run smoothly, possibly even better but why try to change something that doesn't need fixing. I think the airlines and maybe even the controllers will benefit from privatization but I don't if that'll be at the detriment of the general public. And that's who we need to think about.

References

Gunter, Chase. Air traffic control reform hits turbulence in Congress. Nov, 01. 2017.

Hirschman, Dave. GA GROUPS LAUNCH CAMPAIGN AGAINST ATC PRIVATIZATION. October, 10. 2017.

Mark .p. Robert. Canada's Private ATC System Offers Alternative for Cost-cutting Nations. January, 01. 2012.