The first is already in place and focuses on saving fuel by having airplanes descend from cruising altitude to the runway with engines running at idle power. ADS-B, on the other hand, swaps traditional radar tracking systems for aircraft with one using satellites ; the idea is that it'll provide tracking in places where radar doesn't exist such as the Gulf of Mexico and chunks of Alaska. Data comm is perhaps the simplest as it aims to cut down on radio frequency traffic by establishing direct digital links between air traffic controllers and pilots, something the DoT says is akin to text messaging.

The DoT sees this as being necessary as our skies and airports get more congested, and says ERAM gives it the power to manage and track "nearly double" the flights that it can today. What's in it for you? Apparently this new tech will help get you to your ultimate destination "faster, safer" and while being a smoother flight that uses less fuel. If that trickles down to cheaper flights or fewer delays, count us in.

[Image credit: Getty Images/Herbert Kratky]