The NEXTGEN system

As pilots, We are always dealing with air traffic control.  And air traffic control is always dealing with us, and jokingly trying to kill us J. That being said our ATC system is keeping us as pilots safe by ensuring separation between aircraft and providing useful and sometimes life savings information.  However we are dealing with pre WW2 technology such as Radar, VORs, and sometimes even the outdated NDB systems to provide us with our navigation.  These systems are quickly becoming outdated, and it is safe to say that the ATC system along with how we navigate will need a overhaul.

The answer to the quickly dating and failing technology of the past will be slowly being replaced by what is called NEXTGEN ATC services. I believe that this system should be in place by 2025, but I may be wrong.  This new system will basically turn the ATC system as we know it (Radar services) into a system that uses Satellite technology such as GPS, and WAAS, and even LAAS.  These systems will greatly increase the accuracy of ATC and allow for closer traffic confines, especially in the northern areas of Canada, and across the oceans of the world.  A system that is trying to install itself is the NDS-B systems.  These systems have been put into place in the northern areas of Canada and some parts of Alaska already and are working really well in providing closer separation confines of participating aircraft.

All this is fine and dandy, but who is going to pay for it.  Here in lies the question, as it will be an expensive endeavor to create these new systems.  Personally I believe that it should be government funded, but others believe it should be funded by the users of the current airspace systems, through user fees. Pilots especially GA pilots pay enough to enjoy their hobby, and therefore I believe that user fees are out of the question.  The FAA should be able to get funding for this through the numerous grant programs that the government has put into place with the various aviation acts that were enacted throughout history.

Aviation Security: It is for the greater good...

Ever since 9/11/11, Aviation security has been a hot topic for all involved in the industry.  Some people are for it, others against it, and the technology just keeps getting better and more advanced.  I am going to write this post in a series of perspectives. One perspective of the pilot, the passenger, the airline, and the infrastructure of the the local, state, and federal governments. 


Before I begin, Lets talk about security devices that are currently in place...Three come to mind, and are the three that I am going to be discussing.  Airport security in its simplest form is done through a pat down.  A security officer, (TSA agent) will pat you down (male on male, female on female to prevent possible sexual embarrassment and harassment, along with possible title XIV santions against the person, and company).  and search for contraband, weapons, etc...  The second step up are metal detectors and x-ray scanners.  Metal detectors work by creating a magnetic field, and as a metallic item (CONTAINING FERROUS MATERIALS) pass through  the field, the field becomes distorted thus tripping the alarm.  X-Ray scanners, In my opinion are self explanatory.   The third, and most advanced detection method is the full body scanner.  The two main types of scanners are "millimeter wave" and "backscatter" machines. Millimeter wave units send radio waves over a person and produce a three-dimensional image by measuring the energy reflected back. Backscatter machines use low-level X-rays to create a two-dimensional image of the body. If any of you are wondering if the body scanner is invasive , you might be surprised just how wrong you are.

Now, lets talk about security measures based on different perspectives of people involved.

As I am going into aviation to be a pilot, I must start with that demographic first. 

Let us start by saying that the pilot is the one most concerned about the security of the flight.  Think about it, they are just doing their jobs, and are wanting to come home safely to their families each day. Personally I would make all passengers go through a body scan or pat down.. Metal detectors in my opinion are not safe enough.  Pilots should not have to worry about their door being kicked in, or a bomb going off while in flight.


Now passengers....Yes I know, as I have been one many of times...Security checks are annoying.  Maybe even frightful if you are getting a pat down (happened to me, and yes i was scared although I didn't have anything to hide).  But stop thinking about yourself.  People conducting security operations are just looking out for your safety along with the safety of others.  They are professionals and always have your privacy in mind.  And if you even think that the pat down is a violation of your rights....think again, you waived them when you bought your ticket. 

The airline also has a vested interest in airport security for the simple reason that it is their assets that they are protecting.  If a bomb gets through, and successfully detonated mid-air, the company would be out billions of dollars, and have negative PR relations through the media.  Something that they cannot afford in such a competitive market where bankruptcies and mergers are nothing new.


Lastly local / state / federal governments.  Airline hijacking will effect the local area where the incident occurred by potentially having local businesses close.  The state and federal government will have to put new policies in effect, and expend capital to research what happened, and how to prevent future occurrences.  Something the government currently does not have the money to do.

So airline security, although a nuisance to the everyday passenger, especially in busy airports such as Detroit, and O'Hare, is there to protect not just you, but the greater good.  Deal with the lines, show up early, and cooperate, and you will never have a problem with it.

Automation in the office: Friend of Foe?

Automation is everywhere in our lives, and becoming more and more prevelant in the cockpit. However is this a good thing or not?  Some people would say no, others would say yes.  I personally believe it is a catch 22 situation.  Automation is a great thing however it does pose problems.  Automation allows the pilot to make his or her work load smaller, allowing them to think, assess situations, and get ahead of the airplane if needed.  Automation can cause problems if you dont understand it, or program it wrong.  For example, if you were to input a 5 letter identifier incorrectly you will leave your intended or filed course, causing navigation problems if left unnoticed.

Automation can cause accidents. as seen here ( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29194109/ns/us_news-life/t/official-plane-ny-crash-was-autopilot/ )
In the previous case automation as well as icing buildup caused an aircraft to crash outside Buffalo, NY.  The pilots were flying in icing conditions with the automation of the airplane and de-ice equipment engaged.  The pilots were changing the configuration of the aircraft with flaps for their approach into the airport.  The pilots did not release that the automation was controlling te aircraft in strange ways, so when the automation was turned off, the pilots has no time to act, which caused the aircraft to crash.  This is a situation where automation can cause fatalities, just because it was not fully understood by the the people handling it.

Personally automation has saved me.  On my first long cross country after I got my pilots license. ATC deviated me to a head to a series of VORs.  I was not an instrument pilot, so naturally I did not have the frequencies easily accesible, so I had to engage the autopilot and try to figure out my situation in the air.  I got everything figured out in the end, disengaged the autopilot, and had a smooth landing at KGRR.

Automation, Friend of Foe? This will be an argument for many generations in not just the aviation industry.

Introduction and Reasoning..

Hello everyone and the world. 

My name is Dustin Witjes.  I am a Eastern Michigan University student studying aviation and flight technology.  I am currently in my 5th year at Eastern finishing up my instrument and commercial ratings to get ready for a career in the real world.  I am an aviation enthusiast, a student, and a butcher  at Whole Foods Market with knowledge in multiple areas in the aviation field, along with many other areas that people find interesting, but I find useless :). 

I have multiple reasons for starting this blog.  Number one being is that it is a social site where I can get my name out into the aviation sector, who knows, maybe some Delta representative will start to follow this.  Secondly, I tend to read a lot of aviation articles and once in a while I feel that it would be nice if I were to share my thoughts on the article, or any aviation news break for that matter.  Thirdly I think it would be fun to share my aviation experiences and trips with people. I feel that this would be a good way for people to learn something about aviation.

So that is my reasoning, its short, simple and to the point.  Hope to see people reading, and if you happen to be a pilot, maybe I will see you at a FBO somewhere and some hole in the wall airport.

take care, especially in flight

Dustin