The U.S. aviation system is at a pivotal moment.
Passenger demand continues to rise, infrastructure is aging, and the National Airspace System is being asked to operate with greater reliability and resilience than ever before. In this episode of The Aviation Report, host Alain Tremblay is joined by Dawn Amore, President and CEO of Volanno, to examine what it will actually take to modernize air traffic control at a national scale.
Dawn was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Air Traffic Control Association, and brings more than two decades of experience supporting the FAA and transportation agencies across aviation, rail, and transit. Her perspective spans governance, technology, workforce realities, and the practical challenges of operating a 24/7 safety-critical system while modernizing it in real time.
In this conversation, Dawn breaks down how the U.S. air traffic control system functions today — from towers and TRACONs to en-route centers — and why equipment delays, aging facilities, and legacy technology are creating urgency for change. She explains why past modernization efforts like NextGen fell short, and how the FAA’s new “brand new air traffic control system” approach represents a fundamental shift rather than an incremental upgrade.
The discussion also explores the FAA’s decision to adopt a prime systems integrator model, what that means for existing vendors and small businesses, and how modernization will affect air traffic controllers on the front lines. Dawn shares how controllers are thinking about new tools, training, and reliability — and why successful adoption depends on reducing cognitive load, not increasing it.
Beyond the FAA, the episode looks at where airports, airlines, and small businesses fit into this transformation, from infrastructure and communications to data analytics, security, and emerging technologies. Dawn also reflects on building a woman-owned small business in the federal aviation space, offering practical insights for companies looking to enter or grow within the industry.
The episode closes with a forward look at aviation technology — including decision-support tools, data analytics, digital twins, and the careful role AI may play — and what’s at stake if modernization efforts fail to deliver.
The Aviation Report is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.
Executive Producer: Julie Gates
Executive Producer: Trisha Murray
Producer: Chris O’Keeffe
Editor: Patrick Emile
Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin
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