As I spool-up on my initial flight training study, I came across the FAA's HITS concept shown here:
(Note: FAA "Screencast" will take a while to load - click play arrow to view.)I have a few questions if you don't mind:
1) Will HITS replace all airspace classifications [A, B, C, D, E and G]?
I've seen and read where some airports have had their approaches reconfigured [for lack of a better term] specifically for RNAV and RNP approaches with what was said to be a lot less Pilot communication with ATC. Don't know if this is true of not, but if zero comms with ATC seems to make no sense to me as only ATC will know whether or not any particular runway is clear to land/takeoff on or from. So, it would seem to me that ATC will always have to communicate at least that much to the pilot.
2) Will HITS replace all ILS approachs?
If the so-called "Highway in the sky" runs from approach altitudes down to the runway threshold by providing vertical, horizontal and lateral guidance as well as a built-in (highway) glide-slope, then what need is there anymore for ILS approach procedures. Don't the two contradict each other, or will they be used together.
3) Will HITS replace Jet Routes - the "J" system?
Since the RNAV/RNP HITS concept is one of horizontal and vertical clearance from within the geometric center of the HITS path in the sky and this is said to be the "containment corridor" within which the aircraft is assigned from takeoff to landing, then what use will there be for the higher altitude "J" route system.
4) Will HITS replace all the point-to-point navaids VOR, NDB, Waypoint, etc.?
The HITS "containment" concept seems to encapsulate everything necessary to fly from destination to arrival airport without the need reference ground based installations along the way. Since the assignment of a corridor by definition would mean flying inside the parameters of that "box in the sky," then why do point-to-point navaids matter anymore.
I know that HITS has been talked about for a while, and now I know that at its core will be the older [legacy] RNAV and RNP technologies to drive the concept of Performance Based Navigation. What I'd like to know is whether or not I should postpone my Private through Jet Type flight training, until this new system of air navigation is fully installed, given all the airnav training that a new private and instrument pilot has to go through in order to get licensed and rated? Or, should I just go ahead with the training and worry about the air traffic control changes right along with everyone else?