Aeronautics
The aeronautics community is continuing to chase the horizon. Innovators are pushing technology to deliver new products and services for the benefit of society. In the next 5–10 years, many new capabilities will be introduced, and the next generation will experience flight in ways we are just imagining. We stand at the precipice of urban flight, integrating ground and air vehicles in new ways. The industry is building on the advances made since the early 20th century taking us further, faster, safer, and cleaner. AIAA advances these opportunities through its focus on the Aeronautics Domain.
Aeronautics in the 21st Century: Safe, Sustainable, and Smart
By AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher
The aeronautics industry is embracing opportunities in the near term that will contribute to its enduring legacy of changing society and reshaping everyday life as we know it.
Priority Areas in Aeronautics
Advanced Air Mobility Advanced air mobility could grow into a $115 billion industry that gives all of us new transportation options. With clear operational guidelines, regulations, and standards for accommodating and incorporating autonomy, we see a thriving integrated urban and regional airspace in the next decade. The benefits of autonomy will enhance safety for everyone and enable capabilities we are only just imagining.
Carbon Emissions and Sustainability The global community is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector by 2050. The AIAA community plays an integral role in this effort that will make a substantial difference to benefit our planet.
AIAA is working with the industry toward several steps, including:
- Advocacy for more government support for the goal of carbon-free aviation by 2050
- Deployment of SAF for current airline fleets, while also addressing fleet recapitalization
- Adoption of hydrogen fuel cells and other clean, renewable energy sources
- Focus on new R&D
- Development of the “green” aviation workforce
Certification The widespread use of UAVs and drones—both commercial and recreational—prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to adapt its certification processes. Similarly, the FAA must facilitate safe use of AAM systems for passenger and cargo transport. As the FAA refreshes its certification strategy, we expect to see clear specifications, regulations, and standards emerge that will strike an appropriate balance between safety and innovation.
Space launches are close to a daily occurrence and launch sites are infringing on urban environments and large metropolitan areas. The integration of commercial air traffic, AAM, and space launch traffic must receive government attention to help drive global regulatory and certification strategies that ensure safety and continued smooth sustainable economic growth for all stakeholders.
Hypersonics and Supersonics High speed “transportation” – both military and civilian – is fast becoming a reality. Integrating hypersonic and supersonic flight into the national and global airspace will require attention to operational efficiency, safety through certification, and environmental and societal impacts including noise and emissions. AIAA will address questions around:
- Is sustainable civil high-speed endo-atmospheric flight achievable?
- What role does the government have in promoting hypersonic and/or supersonic flight?
- What technologies are needed to develop and mature efficient and low environmental impact hypersonic and supersonic flight?
Events
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2024 AIAA Aviation and Aeronautics Forum and Exposition (AIAA AVIATION Forum)
29 July - 2 August 2024
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
The AIAA AVIATION Forum is the only aviation event that covers the entire integrated spectrum of aviation business, research, development, and technology. -
26th AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference
6 January - 10 January 2025
Orlando, Florida, USA
The 26th AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference provides a significant opportunity for discussion and the exchange of information on leading-edge research and development activities...
Courses
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Advanced Hydrogen Aerospace Technologies and Design – Online Short Course (Starts 8 October 2024)
8 October - 7 November 2024
This new joint course from AIAA and HYSKY Society, the latest and greatest in hydrogen aerospace technology is presented in the context of Fixed-Wing and eVTOL aircraft/vehicle design.
Open for registration. Register Now
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Guidelines for the Development of Civil Aircraft & Systems
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Composite Structures: Process Analysis, Progressive Damage, Failure Analysis, and Advanced Software
News
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AIAA to Recognize Excellence with Awards at the 2024 AIAA AVIATION Forum
17 June 2024
AIAA is pleased to announce the winners of technical and management excellence awards to be presented during the 2024 AIAA AVIATION Forum, 29 July – 2 August, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas. Registration is open for the worldwide aviation community to attend. Journalists who wish to cover the forum can request a Press Pass here. -
2024 ASCEND to Accelerate Our Off-World Future with Axiom Space, Boeing, DARPA, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Northrop Grumman, NRO, ULA, and U.S. Space Force
7 June 2024
AIAA today announced dozens of speakers who will appear at its upcoming ASCEND event, 30 July – 1 August, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas. ASCEND is the world’s premier... -
2024 AIAA AVIATION Forum to Bridge the Gap Between Visionary Concepts and Technological Reality
6 June 2024
AIAA announced its five-day program for the 2024 AIAA AVIATION Forum, 29 July – 2 August, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas, in pursuit of a sustainable and high-tech aviation future. The event will feature an extensive lineup...
Past Events
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Aerospace Perspectives Series: Unlock Mission-Critical Insights: Discover How Aerospace Companies Leverage Time Series Data to Drive Innovation, Enhance Operations, and Reduce Costs
26 June 2024 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time)
Virtual
In this session, InfluxData’s VP of product marketing, Balaji Palani, and senior developer advocate, Zoe Steinkamp, share how aerospace companies are using their time series data. -
How to Conduct a BSA Merit Badge Fair
13 June 2024 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time)
Discover new ways your Section can participate in STEM outreach to inspire the younger generation. -
CEAS EuroGNC 2024
11 June - 13 June 2024
Bristol, United Kingdom
The 2024 conference will be hosted from June 11th to 13th, 2024 at the University of Bristol in Bristol, United Kingdom and with the support of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS).
Aeronautics Playlist
Task Forces
The AIAA Advanced Air Mobility Task Force is guiding the implementation of the AIAA plan for advanced air mobility (AAM) systems capabilities. AAM could embody the single greatest transformation for aviation business, science, and policy—and
public perceptions—since the emergence of mainstream commercial aviation in the mid-20th century. With clear operational guidelines, regulations, and standards for accommodating and incorporating autonomy, AIAA sees a thriving integrated urban
and regional airspace in the next decade. The benefits of autonomy will enhance safety for everyone and enable capabilities we are only just imagining.
Watch the 10 May 2023 AIAA AAM Task Force meeting with the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), hosted by the Vertical Flight Society. Watch Video
AAM Task Force Public Forum
The AIAA Carbon Emission and Sustainability Task Force is addressing efforts across AIAA to drive progress toward net zero carbon emissions by 2050. In 2019, commercial aviation produced ~2% of global human-induced carbon dioxide emissions.
Many aviation industry stakeholders and AIAA members are taking on generational-scale challenges that require broad collaboration and support. AIAA sees the need and opportunity for the aviation industry to pursue technology development, product and
services development, and operational changes to reduce the impact to climate change.
Carbon Emissions & Sustainability Task Force Public Forum
AIAA Aeronautics Lead
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Mike Borfitz
Certification Task Force Co-Chair, CEO, Kilroy Aviation