Supports FAA Modernization Act In Congress Since February

On Friday, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) applauded President George Bush's plan, announced the day before, to address air traffic congestion.

Bush discussed the FAA Modernization Act, proposed to Congress in February, as the "blueprint" to modernize the FAA. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) supports those measures of the act aimed at upgrading the technology that will enable the overhaul of the air transportation system.

"Continually increasing flight delays underscore the need to overhaul the national aerospace system," said AIAA President Paul Nielsen. "We stand behind the President’s renewed call to modernize the technologies in our air transportation system, which is vital to our national economic security. With an expected doubling of air traffic by 2025, our nation needs to invest now to safely, efficiently, and effectively manage that increased capacity."

According to AIAA, technology upgrades called for in the act include the use of Global Positioning Systems, cockpit data link systems that reduce voice communications and instead provide system data directly to the flight crew, and phased-in technology improvements such as the User Request Evaluation Tool that provides air traffic controllers additional lead time to foresee potential conflicts.

The mission of AIAA is to advance the state of aerospace science, engineering, and technological leadership. Headquartered in suburban Washington, DC, the Institute serves over 35,000 members in 65 regional sections and 79 countries.

FMI: www.aiaa.org