Radical changes have to occur to ensure safe and timely flow of future air traffic. Perhaps Congress and the FAA should take note of what is happening in other countries. This is the largest public works program ever undertaken in Australia, and serves to illustrate how important that country considers the safe and expeditious flow of air traffic in the future. The tortoise and the hare Recently, yet another curve has been thrown at the ATC system. These aircraft seat between 35-70 passengers and are rapidly replacing turboprop commuter aircraft throughout the country.
Regional jets are quieter, more comfortable and perceived to be safer by the traveling public.
However, the introduction of RJs has increased the total number of aircraft flying in high-altitude airspace where MIT flow control is prevalent. Despite pilot union misgivings about the introduction of such aircraft, all major airlines are introducing regional jets to their feeder networks. For example, at FL350, the Fairchild 428Jet cruises at Mach 0.72 while a Boeing 747-400 cruises at Mach 0.85. Airports and runways Much has been said about the inconvenience to the traveling public due to delays, but the degradation of safety due to increased congestion at airports and along airways is a more serious issue. Among other problems, LAX traffic is so busy during peak travel times that ground controllers have to speak very rapidly in order to communicate with all aircraft on their frequency.