The FAA, incl. its Joint Planning and Dev¿t. Office (JPDO) and Air Traffic Org. (ATO), is planning for and implementing the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) in partnership with other fed. agencies and the aviation industry. NextGen will transform the current radar-based air traffic control system into a more automated, aircraft-centered, satellite-based system. This testimony focuses on: (1) JPDO's and ATO's progress in planning and implementing NextGen; (2) ongoing efforts to implement midterm capabilities to address capacity constraints and delays; (3) the potential impact on NextGen of organizational changes and human capital issues; and (4) R&D and facilities maintenance and reconfiguration challenges going forward. Illus.

To prepare for forecasted air traffic growth, the FAA, in partnership with other fed. agencies and the aviation industry, is planning and implementing the Next Generation Air Transport. System (NextGen), a new, satellite-based air traffic mgmt. system that is expected to increase the safety and enhance the capacity of the air transport system. Within FAA, the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) is coordinating efforts to plan for this transition, including developing a 20-year R&D agenda for NextGen. JPDO has drafted 3 planning documents for NextGen -- a Concept of Operations, an Enterprise Architecture, and an Integrated Work Plan. This testimony responds to 6 questions about NextGen, and addresses two related challenges. Illus.

Discusses six issues that are important in reauthorizing FAA programs: (1) Ensuring the safe and efficient transformation to the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen); (2) Strengthening oversight of aviation safety: Incomplete and inaccurate safety data jeopardize FAA's implementation of a new safety management approach; (3) Reducing congestion and providing access to the national airspace system; (4) Addressing aviation's impact on the environment, including noise, emissions, and other pollutants; (5) Ensuring a sufficient, trained workforce; and (6) Ensuring timely reauthorization of FAA programs. Charts and tables.