The majesty of a jetliner gliding across the sky, how magnificent is the sight. How breathtaking is 
the power, the technology, and the ingenuity that transformed a simple invention into a lifestyle 
we know today as air travel. And not just a lifestyle, but a powerful engine that propels our 
economy forward.

As air travel continues to be an integral part of our lifestyle, air travel demand is expected to grow 
in the next two decades, tripling by some estimates. How do we accommodate this unprecedented 
growth while safeguarding our environment and improving on already high levels of safety? By 
harnessing the untapped capabilities of the modern aircraft in new and innovative ways, 
revolutionizing air traffic management.

Lets imagine the future, an Aircraft-Centric future, with advanced onboard capabilities that can 
perform any task, any time, any place in the world.  Conflict-free aircraft trajectories for the entire 
airspace are computed by onboard flight management systems, transmitted via digital data link 
through the airwaves to other aircraft. An efficient and expeditious 4 dimensional flight path for 
each aircraft in a region is calculated within seconds, each aircraft digitally seeing its neighboring 
aircraft on pilot displays. Approaching the landing strip, piercing through the thicket of cloud and 
fog, planes digitally display integrated terrain and aircraft data on a head-up-display system, 
creating a better-than-visual flight situational awareness for the pilot. Precious cargo is delivered 
to its destination, wherever it maybe, evermore safely, expeditiously and without delays, 
diversions or cancellations. 

How can we achieve this future?

This future is here and is at the heart of what we call the Next Generation Air Transportation 
System. While the swift advances in aircraft navigation, surveillance, communications and computing 
technologies have sometimes outpaced our ability to fully utilize them, the Federal Aviation 
Administration now stands at a historical crossroad with a unique opportunity to build this exciting 
new blueprint that we call NextGen, transforming the nations air transportation system.

And here are the key components of NextGen.

Using Area Navigation (or RNAV) and Required Navigation Performance (or RNP), onboard 
computing systems will create accurate and efficient flight paths in our skies. Advanced flight 
management systems, on-board inertial systems, heads-up display systems, and other satellite 
and ground systems will compute position, speed, and other vital navigation information. This 
new approach will virtually automate an aircrafts entire navigation function from departure to 
landing. With more precise and accurate paths, more lanes can be built into the same limited 
airspace, creating more capacity where we need it.

Using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast technology, both pilots and controllers 
will see radar-like displays of traffic data, based on satellite datadisplays that update 
aircraft position and intent information in seconds and don't degrade with distance or terrain. 
The system will also give pilots access to weather services, terrain maps, and flight information 
services. The improved situational awareness the system provides will better enable pilots to 
fly at safe distances from one another with less assistance from air traffic controllers. 

High capacity digital data link communications will allow the transfer of vital flight information 
between airborne and ground system automation platforms, which has never before been 
possible. This new capability will reduce pilot and controller communications, reduce the risk 
of possible miscommunications, and enhance situational awareness. Pilots can more efficiently 
request and receive expedited routes, altitude changes, and speed changes. Controllers can 
digitally clear aircraft for changes in routes, altitude, speed, and frequency. Data Link will not 
only improve situational awareness for both pilot and air traffic controllers, it will lead to more 
efficient and expeditious air traffic.

RNP, ADS-B, digital Data Link . . . These innovations combined with Enhanced Flight Vision 
Systems (EFVS), Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS) head up display (HUD), and a paperless 
flight-deck environment through electronic pilot flight bags (EFB) are the cornerstone of 
NextGen. Embedding these capabilities into modern aircraft will deliver a safer, more efficient 
air transportation system. The FAAs new Safety Management System, together with the 
newly formed collaborative government-industry safety data sharing system called ASIAS, 
will ensure the continuation of our nations sterling safety record. Applying proven safety 
assessment methods every step along the way will bolster the public trust in our aviation 
system.

How will we get there from here? Partnering with key government agencies in the Joint Planning 
and Development Office and with the aviation community in the U.S. and abroad, we have 
developed specific strategies to mobilize our resources and our know-how in delivering NextGen 
capabilities, steadily and purposefully, to make the 21st century next-generation air 
transportation system a reality.

Our sky is a national resource. As air travel continues to be a vital part of our lifestyle and our 
economy, we must learn how to manage this resource more wisely. Implementing NextGen is an 
imperative. We have the national resolve to see it through. Together let us build new highways 
in the sky to more safely and efficiently use this national resource we call the National Airspace System.