Drucella Andersen
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                                         
February 25, 1994 (Phone:  202/358-4733)

Keith Henry
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
(Phone:  804/864-6120)


RELEASE:  94-29

REPORT CALLS FOR GREATER NASA GENERAL AVIATION ROLE

     In a report released today, an industry-led task force 
calls on NASA to revitalize its general aviation program, make 
its wind tunnels, laboratories and simulators more accessible 
to the general aviation community and better balance its 
technology program to meet general aviation needs.

     "This report will help us shape our general aviation 
research for the rest of the decade," said NASA Administrator 
Daniel S. Goldin.  "We're determined to focus on technologies 
that will be useful to our partners in industry."

     General aviation covers a wide range of aircraft and 
services as a vital part of the national air transportation 
system serving some 17,800 airports, provides the only air 
transportation for millions of people to many communities 
throughout the United States and the world, provides some 540 
thousand U.S. jobs and is a potentially significant contributor 
to the U.S. balance of trade.

     The report by the General Aviation Task Force of NASA's 
Aeronautics Advisory Committee, citing the serious decline in 
general aviation aircraft deliveries since the early 1980s, 
highlights four NASA technology research areas that it 
characterizes as "most important and potentially the most 
productive" for increasing market share.  They are:

     ù Propulsion, noise and emissions work to let U.S. 
aircraft meet world environmental standards and be more 
reliable, fuel-efficient and easier to fly;
     ù Aeronautical systems research that would put new 
technology in the cockpit to expand the use of general aviation 
and increase safety;
                           - more -
                             - 2 -


     ù Structure and materials development that would transfer 
data on advanced metals and composites to the general aviation 
industry; and
     ù Aerodynamics research that would increase aircraft 
speed, passenger capacity and fuel efficiency.

     The report also calls for NASA and the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) to better disseminate research information 
to the general aviation industry and to develop closer ties 
among NASA, industry and universities.

     NASA already has initiated and expanded its general 
aviation effort that is developing technology to improve the 
safety, utility, environmental compatibility and affordability 
of general aviation aircraft.  Research activities headed by 
NASA's Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.,  and supported by 
Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, and Ames Research Center, 
Mountain View, Calif., focus on three key areas:

     ù Cockpit systems such as displays, controls and software 
that are more "user-friendly" and cut the time needed to learn 
and maintain piloting skills;
     ù Low-cost design and manufacturing methods and ways to 
make general aviation aircraft more affordable to operate; and
     ù  Quieter propulsion systems producing less exhaust 
emissions and cabins with better pilot and passenger comfort.

     The General Aviation Task Force includes representatives 
from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Textron 
Lycoming, Allied-Signal, Honeywell, Small Aircraft 
Manufacturers Association, Allison, Gulfstream Aerospace, Beech 
Aircraft, Cirrus Design, National Business Aircraft 
Association, Cessna Aircraft Company, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical 
University, Wichita State University, FAA, National 
Transportation Safety Board and NASA.
                            - end -

EDITORS NOTE:  Copies of the General Aviation Task Force Report 
are available from the NASA Headquarters Newsroom.  Fax 
requests to 202/358-4210 or -4335.  

     A videotape entitled, "Highways in the Sky", describes 
NASA research on a general aviation "cockpit of the future."  
The video length is 10 minutes and 37 seconds and is available 
to media representatives in either BETACAM SP or U-MATIC 
formats by calling 202/358-1733.  A still photo also is 
available by calling 202/358-1900. 
   
        Color:                B&W:
        94-HC-64         94-H-68