Drucella Andersen
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                                                       
March 9, 1994
(Phone:  202/358-4733)

H. Keith Henry
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
(Phone:  804/864-6124)


RELEASE:  94-39

NASA ACQUIRES BOEING 757 FOR AERONAUTICAL FLIGHT RESEARCH

   NASA is scheduled to take delivery on March 24 of a Boeing 
757-200 aircraft that will serve as a "flying laboratory" for 
aeronautical research.  The aircraft will be modified extensively 
for a broad range of flight research programs to benefit the U.S. 
aviation industry and commercial airline customers.

   The aircraft will be used to conduct research to increase 
aircraft safety, operating efficiency and compatibility with 
future air traffic control systems.  It will serve as a vital 
research tool in support of the agency's Advanced Subsonic 
Transport and High-Speed Research programs.  

   The 757 will continue the work begun by the NASA 737-100 in 
state-of-the-art technologies such as electronic cockpit displays, 
flight management systems and flight safety devices such as 
airborne windshear detection sensors.  Current and projected 
research needs greatly exceed the capabilities of the 737.

   The NASA 757 was located after an extensive survey of the jet 
airliner market.  It was used by Boeing for Federal Aviation 
Administration certification of the 757 class of jet airliners.  
The second generation, digitally-equipped transport designated 
N501EA, will be obtained from the Eastern Airline bankruptcy 
estate.  

   NASA is acquiring the aircraft for $24 million, to be paid over 
2 fiscal years.  The 757 will be maintained and flown by NASA's 
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
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