Volume 5, Number 2 March/April 1997
Moving Forward
ASA HAS COMMITTED $500 million
over the next five years to find ways to reduce aircraft accidents. NASA, in partnership
with the federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Department of Defense (DOD) and
the aviation industry, has accepted the challenge of the White House Commission on
Aviation Safety and Security. The commission asked NASA, the FAA, DOD and the aviation
industry to reduce aircraft accidents five-fold over the next 10 years.
The initiative includes research to reduce human-error-caused accidents, predict and prevent mechanical and software malfunctions and eliminate accidents involving hazardous weather and controlled flight into terrain. DOD is assisting in defining requirements and actions to implement many of the safety standards.
NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin said, "We're looking for solutions that will save lives. NASA is prepared to step up to the national goal set by the Vice President's commission without requesting additional funds. This partnership will lead to breakthroughs that will achieve a safer tomorrow in aviation." The $500 million commitment will originate from reprogramming existing aeronautics funds, in addition to reassigning people and NASA facilities' work.
Acting FAA Administrator Barry Valentine said, "The FAA and NASA have a proud history of working together to make the U.S. aviation system the safest and most efficient in the world. Our two agencies, along with our industry partners, are going to take this research investment and turn it into improvements that will benefit all aviation users."
The FAA has a diverse aviation safety research effort that ranges from basic studies on the airworthiness of materials to the development of new products for safety inspectors, security inspectors and air traffic controllers. Last year, the FAA unveiled the Global Analysis and Aviation Network (GAIN), an unprecedented concept to help reduce accident rates. GAIN collects and analyzes worldwide aviation safety data to spot safety-related trends, then shares the analysis with the global aviation community.
Significant accomplishments in aircraft safety have been made over the years, thanks to NASA, the FAA and industry partners. Some examples include providing technology for the advanced warning of wind shear, developing evaluation methods and analyses to help ensure that older aircraft are as structurally sound as new ones, improving the control of general aviation aircraft stall and spin and developing advanced ice-detection concepts to improve aircraft operations.
For more information, contact Charlie Huettner at NASA Headquarters.
Call 202/358-4703,Fax 202/358-4066.
Please mention that you read about it in Innovation.
