Collaboration between the fed. gov¿t. and the aviation industry has led to reductions in aviation emissions (AE), but growing air traffic has partially offset these reductions. Various fed. agencies are working to increase the efficiency, safety, and capacity of the nat. airspace system and at the same time reduce AE, in part, by transforming the current air traffic control system to the Next Generation Air Transp. System (NextGen). This effort involves new technologies and air traffic procedures that can reduce AE and incorporates R&D on emissions-reduction technologies. This testimony addresses: (1) the scope and nature of AE; (2) the status of selected key fed. efforts to reduce AE; and (3) next steps and challenges in reducing AE. Illustrations.

Aviation and the Environment: NextGen and Research and Development Are Keys to Reducing Emissions and Their Impact on Health and Climate

The FAA estimates that the number of flights in the U.S. will increase 20% by 2024. It also has identified numerous airports that will need to expand to handle more flights. However, increasing airport capacity and operations poses potentially significant impacts on the environment and quality of life for surrounding communities. This report addresses: (1) airports' actions to reduce their environmental impacts; (2) the extent airports believe environmental issues delay development or operational changes; and (3) the strategies airports can adopt to address environmental issues. The report surveyed the 150 busiest airports as measured by the number of operations. Illus. This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find report.

Aircraft emit greenhouse gases and other emissions, contributing to increasing concentrations of such gases in the atmosphere. Many scientists and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change believe these gases may negatively affect the earth¿s climate. Given forecasts of growth in aviation emissions, some gov¿ts. are taking steps to reduce emissions. This report reviews: (1) estimates of aviation¿s current and future contribution to greenhouse gas and other emissions that may affect climate change; (2) existing and potential technological and operational improvements that can reduce aircraft emissions; and (3) policy options for gov¿ts. to help address commercial aircraft emissions. Illustrations.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent agency that works for Congress. The GAO watches over Congress, and investigates how the federal government spends taxpayers dollars. The Comptroller General of the United States is the leader of the GAO, and is appointed to a 15-year term by the U.S. President. The GAO wants to support Congress, while at the same time doing right by the citizens of the United States. They audit, investigate, perform analyses, issue legal decisions and report anything that the government is doing. This is one of their reports.

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.

The FAA is planning and coordinating R&D for the next generation air transportation system (NextGen). Transitioning to the NextGen will require FAA to continue to acquire new air traffic control (ATC) systems on schedule and on budget. NextGen includes system acquisitions but is a significantly larger initiative involving multiple federal agencies, such as NASA, which conducted aeronautics R&D for NextGen, and non-federal aviation stakeholders, such as aviation equipment manufacturers, airports, and aircraft operators. This report addressed: (1) FAA¿s ATC systems acquisition activities; (2) key NextGen planning and transition issues; and (3) key challenges that FAA faces in implementing NextGen. Illustrations.