Congressional committee checks out future of aviation technology

DAYTONA BEACH -- 

Aviation experts across the world agree the way we fly today is outdated and needs to change from a bleep on a radar screen to more efficient air traffic control.

Experts and lawmakers were on hand for a field hearing with the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in Daytona Beach to unveil what could be the next generation of air travel.

Right now, the plane you fly in shows up as a bleep on a radar screen, and it's been the same way since World War II.

Technology demonstrated Monday could change the way you get to grandma’s house by air.

It's called NextGen and it takes air traffic control from radar screens to satellite-based technology.

“We'll actually demonstrate for the first time technology here in the Daytona Beach area and in this test bed what we can do to make safer, more efficient, less polluting,” said Florida Congressman John Mica.

Dwindling air traffic controller numbers, which has led to fatigue issues, near misses, crashes and long waits on the tarmac led to an outcry for revamping air travel.

Lawmakers like Mica introduced, but never passed, permanent legislation to bring air travel to the 21st century.

NextGen combines federal, private sector and education resources and is expected to make flying safer, save fuel and reduce, if not eliminate long waits on the tarmac.

The Federal Aviation Administration oversees the test bed, but it's run by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

“I think, in general, we have a good grasp of what NextGen can bring and the benefits it can bring as well,” said Mathew Faulkner, a student.

“The test bed is gonna allow us to test much of this technology and different concepts in a simulated environment,” explained Randy Babbit, with the Federal Aviation Administration.

What's being tested at the Daytona Beach International Airport test bed could determine the future of aviation around the world.

But it's not all good news.

The project is over budget and needs more money.

Yet, another bill has been introduced to try to resolve multiple issues like funding, to make NextGen technology a reality in our nation's airports.

Mica said he and other lawmakers hope President Barack Obama signs the latest bill to revamp air traffic in the U.S. by late January 2012.