System will make carriers more efficient
Columbus is “on the front end” of cities that are on track for airspace redesigns to allow more efficient aircraft operations, a Federal Aviation Administration official told airport and media representatives Thursday at John Glenn Columbus International Airport.
The majority of work so far to implement the updated, satellite-based system known as NextGen has been in regions such as the New York metropolitan area with multiple major airports, and not airports in a single city.
John Glenn airport users, including airlines and other
businesses, had asked the Federal Aviation Administration to bring the NextGen air transportation system to Columbus, said Barry Cooper, regional administrator for the FAA’s Great Lakes region.
The satellite-based system gives more flexibility for aircraft to fly direct routes, saving time and fuel, and for air traffic controllers to be free from having to direct every turn and altitude change during takeoffs and landings.
Columbus’ largest passenger carrier, Southwest Airlines, has been active in encouraging NextGen and outfitting its aircraft to take advantage of it,
Cooper said.
He also named NetJets, the world’s largest private jet operator, headquartered at John Glenn airport, as another active proponent of NextGen. In Columbus, NetJets has worked with Ohio State University to do research around the NextGen system.
The system is expected to be implemented in Columbus by late 2018 or early 2019.
Cooper said the most common question from the public is how the rerouting of aircraft may affect airplane traffic and noise over certain neighborhoods. He said the new system should not result in any overall increase in airplane noise. The FAA and airport leadership are committed to working with the community
to minimize any impact to residents, he added.
Next steps toward putting NextGen in place locally include setting up community meetings in the coming weeks, most likely for late April or early June.
Information on the meetings and on the progress of Next Gen implementation will continue to be posted at www.faa.gov/nextgen/ communityengagement/ cmh.
John Glenn airport will continue to maintain and update its Noise Program website at http:// columbusairports. com/noise-program/, which allows residents to track flight patterns and log inquiries and complaints.