AIAA Endorses Federal Aviation R&D Act of 2007

RESTON, Va., June 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has endorsed HR 2698, the Federal Aviation R&D Act of 2007. After approval by the House Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics June 14, the full committee approved the measure, sponsored by Rep. Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Friday June 22 by voice vote. The bill provides $335 million for the FAA's research and development programs in FY 2008, with steady annual gains until reaching $515 million in FY 2011.

"The bill is generally positive for the continued development and productivity of our nation's aerospace efforts," said AIAA President Paul Nielsen in his endorsement of HR 2698. "Apart from support for a range of important R&D activities, particularly noteworthy are the legislation's reinforcement of the Next Generation Air Transportation System Joint Planning and Development Office's ability to move efficiently toward implementing NextGen; its streamlining of the approval process by the FAA and NASA for certifying new aerospace technology; and its increased support of research on space weather."

Nielsen continued, "AIAA also applauds the provisions in HR 2698 that provide for an enhancement of research grants available to undergraduate students and for the development of a roadmap for technology R&D programs seeking to modify existing propulsion systems. For these reasons, as well as other merits of this critical bill, AIAA endorses HR 2698 and supports its passage as quickly as prudence allows."

Nielsen also thanked the bill's sponsor, Rep. Udall, as well as House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) and their committee colleagues, for their ongoing focus and diligence in advancing HR 2698 through the legislative process.

Headquartered in suburban Washington, D.C., the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) serves over 35,000 aerospace professionals in 65 regional sections and 79 countries. AIAA membership is drawn from all levels of industry, academia, private research organizations, and government and focuses on emerging technologies in aviation, space and defense.