GPS-only RNAV STARs (Standard Terminal Arrival Routes) have been in use for some time.
The "next gen" technologies referred to in the article involve a lot more than just GPS improvements (such as WAAS and publishing more RNAV GPS approaches annually). They include new ground radar for automated taxi operations, a replacement of traditional transponder-based aircraft separation, redesigning ATIS and weather reporting, and an overall push to standardize all ATC data -- ultimately getting more real-time data into cockpit avionics.
I've used them before. You could only connect to the VNC console once, and then you were locked out (which is a joke), and they don't do automatic provisioning. Pass.
As a high school student in 1988, I interviewed with Bob's previous company, Parsons Technology, for an after-school customer support position.
At that time Parsons Technology was known primarily as the publisher of a personal finance program called MoneyCounts, but they also released a formidable catalog of Bible-related software.
Much to my dismay, the interview process was heavily skewed toward determining how much of a believer I was and ran into all manner of private territory.
I did briefly meet Bob -- just a handshake and he was gone.
Very little of my computer experience was discussed and by the end of the rushed interview I was given complimentary copies of Parsons Technology Bible-related software.
I drove away from that interview disappointed and tricked.
Obviously you can't jump to conclusions from anecdotal data, but I wanted to share this experience and my personal opinion that Bob Parsons is an intensely self-righteous and dogmatic fellow.
Anyway, from my early experience with his first company, to his bizarre and narcissistic elephant hunt, GoDaddy's obnoxious objectification of women, and now SOPA... I've always felt the guy is just sort of twisted and unsavory.
GPS-only RNAV STARs (Standard Terminal Arrival Routes) have been in use for some time.
The "next gen" technologies referred to in the article involve a lot more than just GPS improvements (such as WAAS and publishing more RNAV GPS approaches annually). They include new ground radar for automated taxi operations, a replacement of traditional transponder-based aircraft separation, redesigning ATIS and weather reporting, and an overall push to standardize all ATC data -- ultimately getting more real-time data into cockpit avionics.