On Sun, 11 Feb 2007 03:05:23 GMT, Judah wrote:

"Morgans" wrote in news:yXtzh.105$OH6.60
:


"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote

Why? Automation in ATC could provide better service at less cost.
How does costs of installing thousands of dollars of technology in a GA
aircraft equate to less cost?

I could pay for many movements without automation, (possibly a lifetime)
before the cost saving would be anywhere close to breaking even.

The question becomes how much must it costs to put a datalink in the cockpit.
I think there are relatively inexpensive Mode-S upgrades available, and if
they were to be adopted by a large majority of the airplanes out there, I bet
the price would go down further and more competitors would show up.

The trick is that the FAA has to make it cost effective to get certified so
that there are competitors out there. But that's not likely to happen.

FAA certification's a pretty moth-eaten umbrella to huddle under when
you're sued. Is XM aware that people are using their service to pick
their way between T-storms? What's it going to cost when they make us
pick up the tab on their liability insurance?

Don