NetJets and FAA Sign NextGen Implementation MoU

NetJets and the FAA signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) today “to implement NextGen projects that will lead to safer, more efficient air transportation,” according to the Columbus, Ohio-based fractional-share operator. It worked with the FAA in 2008 on testing upcoming NextGen technologies, and under the new agreement NetJets, in partnership with the Ohio State University Center for Aviation Studies, will take the next step.

“Now we begin to optimize the prior work and begin the implementation stage of these new technologies,” said Bill Noe, NetJets Global COO and NetJets Aviation president. NetJets head of government affairs Bob Tanner added, “We approached the FAA and said we have a unique capability and expertise that can help drive implementation [of NextGen]. We’re all sort of frustrated and done with testing. It’s time to get down to business and get the implementation under way.”

The MoU’s primary work involves Ohio State researchers working with NetJets to analyze the huge amount of FAA data on operations in the National Airspace System and helping airports where NetJets flies to implement NextGen technologies. “The FAA is collecting data about performance of all aircraft throughout the system,” said Seth Young, director of aviation studies at Ohio State. “We want to take a look at that through data analytics strategies and techniques and figure out additional efficiencies in the ATC system.”