I'm attending the 48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting this week in Orlando, FL. This conference is the premier forum for "scientists and engineers from industry, government, and academia to share and disseminate scientific knowledge and research results with a view toward new technologies for aerospace systems."

Yesterday’s keynote speaker was Hank Krakowski, Chief Operating Officer of the FAA, and he talked about Jason's favorite topic: NextGen. His talk was basically a pitch for NextGen and an update on its current status. But it was also a good introduction to NextGen and what they hope it will accomplish: a "back to the future" scenario where pilots will choose their own routes in a throwback to the golden age of aviation. The technology for NextGen (ADS-B) is already being deployed and with the recent ramp-up in funding ($865 million in FY10), they are projecting the country is to be NAS-ready by 2025. The system is already being used (at least partially) in Louisville, South FL, and in the Gulf of Mexico, where about 2,000 flights occur daily to the oil rigs (a perfect application for NextGen). He highlighted South FL as a place where NextGen is being used for GA - I'd like to ask him for some examples of that.

Interestingly enough, Mr. Krakowski had a couple slides in his presentation stressing the idea that NextGen is not meant to be airline-centric. Although he didn't go into depth, his slide listed four major areas to which NextGen will be applicable: airliners, VLJs, commercial space applications, and "sophisticated light aircraft". An interesting choice of words that excludes much of GA, unless you spend the money to have a "sophisticated" aircraft.

Yesterday’s presentation was meant to be in person but instead we listened to a live audio stream of Mr. Krakowski as he talked to us from Reagan National Airport...apparently the airport lost power and his flight was cancelled. Ironic? Yes.