ATC
FAA's Data Comm Progress Belies Criticism Over NextGen
The core NextGen program is under budget and more than two years ahead of schedule, the FAA says.
With Data Comm, pre-departure clearances are issued by text from the tower to a cockpit display. (Photo: FAA via Twitter)
With Data Comm, pre-departure clearances are issued by text from the tower to a cockpit display. (Photo: FAA via Twitter)

Pilots and controllers have used text messaging for more than one million flights under the FAA’s Data Comm program, belying criticism that the agency’s NextGen ATC modernization effort is a failure. The FAA and prime contractor Harris have provisioned 55 airport towers for data communications as the program moves to 20 centers that manage high-altitude traffic.