The RTCA 2009 Symposium, NextGen: How Far?... How Fast?... drew a full house to hear FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt's first public address since his confirmation, to get the latest information about the NextGen Task Force, and to participate in interactive panel discussions with FAA executives, industry leaders, and congressional staff members.

In his keynote address, FAA Administrator Babbitt said, "The secret to launching NextGen is advice" According to Babbitt, the only way to make progress is , "…by making sure the parties are at the table, making sure their voices are heard. The Administrator acknowledged that the need for confidence and credibility are critical and that near term wins that deliver benefits to the operators are what is needed to build that confidence. His conclusion was simple-and powerful. "NextGen is going to make a wolrd of difference… Collaboration is key. Weigh in and stay in." (View complete text of FAA Administrator Babbitt's remarks.)

NextGen Task Force Chairman Captain Steve Dickson, Senior VP of Flight Operations for Delta Air Lines concluded a comprehensive overview of the work of the NextGen Task Force by summarizing why the aviation community should have confidence in the outcome of the task force later this summer. He emphasized the active participation by the financial organizations from aircraft operator in assessing the business case for the operational capabilities being considered. He highlighted the commitment of the FAA's Air Traffic and Aviation Safety organizations to NextGen Task Force and their active participation of the work of the task force. Finally, all task force participants understand the necessary, painful, and difficult task of introducing performance-based operations in a mixed equipage environment.

In the final panel discussion moderated by Sam Whitehorn of McBee Strategic, Hank Krakowski, Chief Operating Officer of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization and Gael Sullivan and Jarrod Thompson, both staff member for the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Aviation, echoed each other in looking toward the recommendations of the NextGen Task Force on how to identify the top priority operational capabilities for near-and-mid-term implementation. In wrapping up the symposium, RTCA Chairman Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Organization called on the entire aviation community to seize the opportunity to make real progress beginning now. He said the “stars are aligned” and we know what it takes to move forward—collaboration, consensus, and commitment.

Check back soon for more results from the RTCA 2009Symposium.