NextGen and ATC Privatization

NextGen is coming soon. Currently in the United States, our primary navigation system in the sky's is a ground based system with the use of VORs. A VOR stands for Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range (VOR) and allows pilots pick up these radio signals from the air and fly from one VOR to the other in a sort of zig zag pattern. 
NextGen is a satellite based system and allows pilots to fly GPS direct to a airport or a fix instead of flying VOR to VOR. This is a huge time saver and saves a ton of fuel for airlines. The new proposed NextGen system calls for the use of ADS-B equipment in all aircraft. ADS-B, which stands for Automatic Dependance Surveillance broadcast, uses onboard avionics that broadcast aircraft's position, altitude, and velocity to nearby aircraft equipped to receive the data via ADS-B In and to a network of ground stations, which relays the information to air traffic control displays. (FAA) The goal of this system is to help controllers better monitor where aircraft are in the sky. 
The new ADS-B equipment must be equipped on aircraft flying in most controlled airspace by January 1st, 2020. (FAA) I think this is a very good idea and we should have this type of equipment on every aircraft for better safety. This would also make the controllers job easier as well because they would know exactly where aircraft would be at all times. However, general aviation community isn't exactly thrilled to have to pay out of pocket for this new equipment. I don't blame them, but the FAA is offering a $500 dollar rebate to help with the cost if you qualify and prove you have the equipment installed and working on your aircraft. (FAA)
Privatization of Air Traffic Control is another hot topic in the general aviation world. The current system is ran by the government and may congressman say the system is not working to its full potential. Many general aviators are afraid that this will simply be another cost to add on to the love of flying. Flying is already very expensive when you figure in fuel, maintenance, hanger space, and general upkeep of the airman and aircraft. The privatization of ATC struggling a new idea really, its been talked about as early as 2003. In 2003 a consumers union group shared with their senator that this was not the time to be experimenting with ATC privatization because the industry was already struggling as it is. 
Now it 2017, much has changed and many congressman think the aviation industry could handle the drastic change in privatization. ATC privatization has worked in some other countries such as Canada and Britain. In an interview with Chris Edwards, I discovered that Chris believes our controllers and technology is not the problem with our current system but our current system as a whole is the problem. "A private system would be more dynamic, flexible, and better managed." Canada system has been successful and is one of the safest systems in the world. Canada has also won three International Air Transport Association (IATA) Eagle Awards as the world’s best ATC provider. (free the Skies)
I don't think this is one of those things that is all of the sudden going to change tomorrow. However, I do believe that it is going to happen someday in the future. The FAA isn't going to make the decision on its own ether, I think that congress is going to vote on the bill with the consideration of the FAA and the aviation industry in mind. Then if it passed, it will go to the President to sign. 
My personal opinions to privatization of ATC is that I think it would be a good thing for the most part. We still use the same system of ATC from the 1930 and 40's, I think it is a little outdated. I don't believe that our current ATC system is bad by any means, I just think that there is room for improvement. It is totally possible and there are other countries out there right now that are doing it. If Congress did decide to privatize ATC,  I think there would be some definite hick ups before the system was up to speed.
I also believe that privatization of ATC definite really mean that general aviators would have to pay more money for this system. I think congress and the FAA could figure out a far system that maybe only commercial operators would have to pay for this new system since they are making money from aviation as well.

NextGen. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2017, from https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/update/progress_and_plans/adsb/

General Aviation ADS-B Rebate Program. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2017, from https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/equipadsb/rebate/

Petrie, J. (n.d.). ATC Privatization Fight Far From Over. Retrieved January 28, 2017, from http://www.aviationpros.com/blog/12231969/atc-privatization-fight-far-from-over

Consumer Groups Urge Senate to Oppose Air Traffic Control Privatization. (2003, September 02). Retrieved January 28, 2017, from http://consumersunion.org/news/consumer-groups-urge-senate-to-oppose-air-traffic-control-privatization/

Meyer, J. (2016, February 16). Free the skies: Privatizing air traffic control. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/jaredmeyer/2016/02/16/free-the-skies-privatizing-air-traffic-control/#6d59b4d646ac

Flying Cheap and Professionalism

Professionalism: Courtesy and respect for co-workers in and out of the workplace.

I recently watched a documentary called "Flying Cheap", a documentary about the regional airline industry. Above, I stated my definition of professionalism because it had recently came to mind when I was watching this documentary. In this documentary, the viewers got an inside look at the life of a regional airline pilot. It wasn't very glamorous like I think many people who are not privy to the world of aviation would expect it to be. I was also pretty shocked when I watched this documentary. It made me not want to have a career as a pilot at all.
During the documentary, it showed some of the living conditions and long hours many regional pilots had to work and live in. A regional airline is a smaller carrier for a major airline. Pilots need a certain hour requirement and a certain level of experience to work at these major airlines. The regional air carriers are a perfect and are the main way for pilots to do so. During the video, pilots showed the film crew where they would spend the nights in between work. These places were called "crashpads".
Pilots at the regionals did not make a lot of money so many pilots would group together and buy a small apartment so they had a place to stay and it was very cheap. They made so little, they couldn't afford even a hotel room to spend the night. It was sickening to watch and think that I could possibly be in that position one day.
The goal of the regional airlines and any other airlines for that matter is to make money. At the end of the day, that is the goal of any company or business. After watching the video and seeing the conditions the pilots had to live in due to money, I don't think it is very professional for the employer of the pilots to let it go on. As I stated earlier, professionalism is respect and courtesy for co-workers in and out of the workplace.
So how did it get this way? Many believe there is a pilot shortage in the United States today. Others think that there isn't a pilot shortage but the problem is pilot pay. I believe it is a little bit of both that is causing these unprofessional working conditions.
There was a big boom of pilots after World War II and any other war for that matter. For a long time that is how many airlines got their pilots. For a long time even I thought that the only way you could become an airline pilot was through the military. There were a surplus of pilots after the war so airlines were more than willing to give them a job flying again.
Now there is a little different and more expensive route for people, like myself, who want to become a professional pilot. Now people have to learn how to fly through flight schools. The student has to pay a decent amount of money to get their licenses and ratings to qualify to get jobs in the industry. Regulations have also made it harder for a civilian such as myself to get to become a professional pilot.
The crash of Colgan air in 2009 was thought to be an effect of the pilots not having a lot of experience. As a result, there is now a minimum 1,500 hour requirement for pilots to be a co pilot for an air carrier. This is a very big increase of time, where as before pilots could get hired at an airline with as little as 300 hours.
So now many people who want to get into a pilot career have to spend a lot more time and money to get there and if the regionals are not paying the pilots enough there isn't a lot of motivation for people to pursue a career in the aviation industry. This is causing people to not have a desire for this career and in turn resulting in less pilots for the industry.

My Aviation Background

My passion for aviation started at a young age. I used to love to watch World War II movies and any movies that had pilots and planes in them. However, I didn't really know how to get involved other than the military and I knew pilot spots were very competitive. I had told my mom that I definitely had an interest in planes and aviation. My mom then gifted me a discovery flight for Christmas at a airport nearby. After that flight, I was hooked! I discovered the airport where I received my discovery flight had a small flight school and I began learning how to fly there in my senior year of high school.

Fast forward to now, I am currently a junior at EMU and planning to graduate in 2018. I am an aviation flight major and am currently working on my commercial license. A good way I found to get involved in the outside aviation world is joining Alpha Eta Rho, which is a professional aviation fraternity that is on Eastern Michigan's campus. I am currently the recruiting officer for the fraternity and find my job very rewarding. I love to see new members get involved and grow in their aviation experience.

After graduation, I plan on flight instructing to get hours and building experience and flight hours. I am open to any aviation jobs right now, but I am leaning toward starting at a regional carrier when I have the appropriate flight hours. I would then eventually like to fly for a major airline such as Delta Air Lines, American, or Southwest. I would love to fly international flights if I became a captain at one of those airlines. I would then retire when I turned sixty five or when I felt in a comfortable position to do so. I know many things are subject to change in my life but these are my current goals in my aviation career and Im doing the best I can to make these goals a reality in my future life.