NASA Associate Administrator for Aeronautics Research, Dr. J. Victor Lebacqz, announced at the annual Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture fly-in in Oshkosh, Wisc., that NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Consortium for Aviation Mobility (NCAM) are planning a proof of concept demonstration June 5-7, 2005.

"Our SATS team will demonstrate new technologies and procedures developed by the Small Aircraft Transportation System project in flight, in simulation, with displays and through lectures and seminars at the Danville Regional Airport in Danville, Va.," Lebacqz said.

During the three-day event, organizers also plan to offer participants a look at the potential impacts that additional small aircraft traffic could have on the nation's skies and the business prospects that could be available for air taxis and other services interested in capitalizing on a new air transportation system that would complement existing major airports.

SATS researchers at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., and at NCAM SATSLabs across the country are developing integrated airborne systems, cockpit displays and operating procedures for a new generation of aircraft designed to carry four to ten passengers.

These technologies could help planes safely fly into underused rural and suburban airports, including many airfields that do not have radar or air traffic control towers. Nearly all of the people in the United States live within a 30-minute drive of one of these airports.

SATS research is focusing on four operating capabilities that may help permit people and goods to travel faster and farther, anywhere and any time. These technologies would allow:

SATS aircraft to integrate seamlessly into the complex national airspace

The technologies, which have been developed to allow these capabilities, will be demonstrated at Danville, either in flight or in simulation or a combination of the two.

The city of Danville and the Virginia Department of Aviation are hosting the demonstration, but the event is possible through the combined efforts of NASA, the FAA and NCAM, including its SATSLabs and their member companies.

NASA and the SATSLabs, including the Maryland and Mid-Atlantic SATSLab; the North Carolina and Upper Great Plains SATSLab; the South East SATSLab; the Virginia SATSLab; the Michigan SATSLab; and the Indiana SATSLab, are responsible for developing the technologies that will form the centerpiece of the Danville demonstration.

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