CAA: GA News, "In 10 years we'll see planes that just about anyone can fly"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@cwnet.com>]

Friday, May 26, 2000

In 10 years we’ll see planes that just about anyone can fly
GA News


WASHINGTON, DC — How would you like a four- to six-place aircraft that’s as
easy to fly as driving a car, cruises at 25,000 feet, lands at any of 5,400
airports, and makes navigation in bad weather and at night as simple as
looking outside in VFR day conditions — all for the price of a higher-priced
luxury automobile?

It’s not as far away as you might think.

In fact, it could be on the market within 10 years.

New technology from NASA is making it possible. The Lancair Columbia 300 and
Cirrus SR20 are two current aircraft that have benefited from NASA research.
Another, the Eclipse 500 personal jet, is expected to receive FAA
certification in 2003.

At a hearing in Washington last week, the House Aviation Subcommittee asked
if the sky is indeed the limit for aviation technology. The panel learned
that the possibilities are limitless, and that various forces will be
introducing new technology to flight in the coming years.

Congestion on the nation’s highways and at its hub airports threatens to
undermine the economy as well as endanger the environment. From 1970 to
1995, the U.S. population increased 29% — while the number of autos and
light trucks grew by 86.1% and passenger miles nearly doubled at a 95% clip.
The Department of Transportation estimates that by 2005 motorists will waste
12 billion working hours in gridlocked traffic. It appears that aviation is
the best solution.

NASA is conducting programs to bring small aircraft to more people in more
places. The agency’s administrator, Daniel Goldin, told the House Aviation
Subcommittee that air travel is not bound by the shackles that are inherent
to ground transportation.

“Our first goal,” Goldin said, “is to revolutionize aviation mobility.”

By overlaying an intelligent information system on the aviation network, he
added, “We will break the hub-and-spoke mold.” Air-traffic management will
have precise knowledge of every aircraft and its flight path. Precision
approaches to every runway in the nation will be available to
private-airplane drivers, as well as realistic images of terrain and
structures. The most recent shuttle mission photomapped the earth. Those
photos can be fed to data banks, and airplane drivers can view them on
cockpit screens and see exactly where they are at night or in adverse
weather.

In 1992, Goldin said, NASA set several goals for flight. One was to develop
a reliable, lightweight, low-cost jet engine. Next year a new engine “that
you can literally hold under your arm” will be available.

A NASA program called the Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) is
entering a five-year research period to determine if technology can be
developed that will deliver practical and safe travel solutions for the
current delays that the public is experiencing on the ground and in the air.

SATS Manager Bruce Holmes explained that the program is designed to prove
four hypotheses:

* The public can safely operate the vehicle in nearly all weather.

* The public can afford it.

* The infrastructure is an affordable option for transportation investments.

*It will benefit suburban, rural and remote communities in terms of
accessibility, mobility, economic opportunity, the environment and quality
of life.

These upcoming aircraft can use the smallest neighborhood airports without
need of radar, control towers or additional land for protection zones.

Vehicle development is only part of the equation. Computers and satellites
must be developed, and the public must accept the technology. Goldin warned
that foolproof computer software must be written. NASA is now forming
consortiums with industry and universities to tackle the millions and
millions of code lines that will be needed.

Goldin also said workers will be facing changes. Air traffic control, for
example, will be automated, and controllers will be used to develop computer
software.

Ed Bolen, president of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association,
testified on behalf of NASA research. Bolen cited benefits already achieved
from the agency’s programs. John Douglass, president of Aerospace Industries
Association (AIA), also lauded NASA development of leading-edge technology.

NASA programs are long-range and they leave practical applications to
private industry. When asked if the general public benefits from the money
that NASA spends, Goldin cited one example. “We invented the disposable
diaper,” he said, “but we can’t find out how much that product is producing
in the economy.”

NASA is currently devoting more research to aviation than to space, but
there are cross results from both. Even though technology is in an explosive
state of growth, societal attitudes remain as roadblocks. Will labor accept
drastic changes? Will communities accept landing facilities in downtowns and
neighborhoods? How will the changes affect today’s pilots and aircraft
owners?

The aviation public never did embrace the Ercoupe because it was spin-proof
and had interconnected controls with no rudder pedals. “No real pilot would
fly something like that!” was a common refrain at general aviation airports.
Will aviators accept the fact that just about anyone can fly like anyone can
drive?

NASA is also developing an aircraft that has no flaps or ailerons.
Reminiscent of the Wright Flyer, the wing warps like a bird’s feathers.

The future looks exciting. Time is on its side.


   Post your opinion on this story in the CAA General Aviation Forum
http://www.californiaaviation.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?conf=DCConfID2

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