ATC
Ongoing Sequester Will Challenge NextGen, FAA Chief Says
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta (center) addresses the NextGen Advisory Committee with new FAA deputy administrator Michael Whitaker (left) and the chairman of the NAC and Alaska Air Group, Bill Ayer. (Photo: Bill Carey)
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta (center) addresses the NextGen Advisory Committee with new FAA deputy administrator Michael Whitaker (left) and the chairman of the NAC and Alaska Air Group, Bill Ayer. (Photo: Bill Carey)

Continuing annual budget reductions due to the “sequester” process in the U.S. will make it difficult for the Federal Aviation Administration to complete the enabling programs of the NextGen ATC modernization effort on time, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta told the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC) on June 4. In April, the U.S. Congress passed legislation that gave the FAA flexibility to reallocate money and help restart one such program, he said. But the legislation stays in effect only for the balance of Fiscal Year 2013, which ends on September 30.