The aeronautics industry is building on the advances made since the early 20th century taking us further, faster, safer, and cleaner. 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. AIAA advances these opportunities for novel aircraft design, operations, and impact through its focus on the Aeronautics Domain.
Aviation Policy Platform Paper
15 April 2025
As the first country to prove that aviation is possible, the United States has led the world in advancing aeronautics technology and providing opportunities for all to take advantage of civil and commercial air transportation to improve their lives. Aviation positively and meaningfully impacts American lives every day through professional travel, package and cargo delivery, and tourism. In industries as varied as agriculture, infrastructure testing, firefighting, and medicine, aerial processes assist in maintaining the safety of operators and the communities they serve. For decades, the United States has held a competitive edge in emerging aeronautics technology. However, maintaining this leadership position in aeronautics technology development and operations on a global scale will require policy and regulatory action.
Key Topics
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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.
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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.
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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.
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High-Speed Flight
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?
AIAA Related Content
EVENTS
COURSES
NEWS
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New AIAA Historic Aerospace Site Dedication
24 May 2025 1:30 pm - 24 May 2025 2:30 pm
AIAA is honoring the Stöllner Mountains, which were the site of Otto Lilienthal’s groundbreaking flight tests from 1894 to 1896, as a ‘Historic Aviation Site’. The tribute event will unveil the AIAA-Lilienthal memorial plaque on 24 May…
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2025 International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC)
9 June 2025 12:00 am - 14 June 2025 12:00 am
The 2025 IREC will be hosted in Midland, Texas, from 9–14 June 2025. ESRA hosts an International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) for over 150 student rocketry teams from across the USA and around the world.
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2025 AIAA Aviation and Aeronautics Forum and Exposition (AIAA AVIATION Forum)
21 July 2025 12:00 am - 25 July 2025 12:00 am
The AIAA AVIATION Forum is the only aviation event that covers the entire integrated spectrum of aviation business, research, development, and technology.
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2025 ASCEND (Accelerating Space Commerce, Exploration, and New Discovery)
22 July 2025 12:00 am - 24 July 2025 12:00 am
Join us 22–24 July 2025 to access inspiring sessions and premium content, develop valuable business leads, and make meaningful connections. More details on 2025 ASCEND will be available soon.
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46th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and Associated Events – “COSPAR 2026”
1 August 2025 12:00 am - 9 August 2026 12:00 am
Host Organizations: Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) in cooperation with Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF) Sustainable space research for the planet The 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly will be held in Florence, Italy, 1–9 August 2026. The Call for Abstracts/Announcement will be posted via a link in the August 2025 issue of Space Research Today, COSPAR’s information
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2025 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference
10 August 2025 12:00 am - 14 August 2025 12:00 am
The 2025 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, hosted by the American Astronautical Society (AAS) and cohosted by AIAA will be held 10-14 August in Boston, MA.
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2026 International Powered Lift Conference (IPLC) Call for Papers
29 August 2025 12:00 am - 29 May 2026 11:59 pm
The International Powered Lift Conference (IPLC), set for 29 August, focuses on the latest developments in vertical and/or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft research, concepts and programs.
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39th International Electric Propulsion Conference
14 September 2025 12:00 am - 19 September 2025 12:00 am
Electric Propulsion, a Gateway to the Cosmos The International Electric Propulsion Conference (IEPC) is the premier event for industry professionals, researchers, and academics driving advancements in the dynamic field of electric propulsion. The 39th edition of the conference, themed “Electric Propulsion: A Gateway to the Cosmos,” will be held in London from 14-19 September 2025.
- Advanced Flight Dynamics and Control of Aircraft, Missiles, and Hypersonic Vehicles – Online Short Course (Started 6 May 2025)
6 May 2025 - 29 May 2025
This course will briefly review the fundamentals of flight dynamic modeling and control and will present a variety of flight control design examples to enhance the learning experience.
Open for registration. Register Now
- Applied Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) – Online Short Course (17–20 November 2025)
17 November 2025 - 20 November 2025
This 4-day course provides a broad introduction to the what, why and how of the processes, practices, tools and techniques that comprise the emerging discipline of model-based systems engineering (MBSE).
Open for registration. Register Now
- Aircraft Reliability & Reliability Centered Maintenance
This course is designed to equip participants to model, predict, and statistically evaluate the reliability of aircraft and aircraft items, as well as develop, implement, and manage an aircraft Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) program. Access to training materials will be provided; classes will not be recorded. All students will receive an AIAA Certificate of Completion
Open for registration. Register Now
- Guidelines for the Development of Civil Aircraft & Systems – Online Short Course (Starts 10 June 2025)
10 June 2025 - 19 June 2025
This interactive instructor-led professional development course is designed to equip participants with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary for the development of civil aircraft and systems based on ARP4754B.
Open for registration. Register Now
- Vibration of Periodic Structures in Aerospace Engineering
This course is applicable to the practice of vibration, flutter, and structural-acoustic analysis of stiffened structures, used in aerospace engineering and design. All students will receive an AIAA Certificate of Completion at the end of the course.
Open for registration. Register Now
- Hypersonic Propulsion Concepts: Design, Control, Operation, and Testing
AIAA’s essential course on Hypersonic Propulsion is taught by the institute’s world-leading experts from Industry, Government, and Academia. All students will receive an AIAA Certificate of Completion at the end of the course.
Open for registration. Register Now
- Flight Test Techniques for UAS – Online Short Course (Started 28 April 2025)
28 April 2025 - 21 May 2025
This new course on Flight Testing specific to UAS provides participants with overview, objectives, theory, techniques, software, and analysis methods for development, qualification, and acceptance tests of UAS.
Open for registration. Register Now
- Fundamentals of High Speed Air-Breathing and Space Propulsion
This online course provides an overview of a range of propulsion technologies. All students will receive an AIAA Certificate of Completion at the end of the course.
Open for registration. Register Now
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AIAA Announces 2025 Regional Student Conference Winners
15 May 2025
AIAA is pleased to announce the winners of six of the 2025 Regional Student Conferences. The first-place university student winners in each of the…
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AIAA Statement on Blue Origin’s Successful NS-31 Mission
14 April 2025
AIAA issued the following statement from AIAA CEO Clay Mowry: “Congratulations to Blue Origin on its 11th human flight as the all-female crew roared beyond the Kármán line, a successful NS-31 mission. It’s an exciting time in history…
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AIAA Announces 2025 Election Results
1 April 2025
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has released the results of its recent 2025 elections. The newly elected AIAA officials will take office in May.
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AIAA Announces Recipients of 2025 Roger W. Kahn Scholarship
28 March 2025
AIAA is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Roger W. Kahn Scholarship. The four $10,000 scholarships have been awarded to the following high school seniors.
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Three STEM Educators and Schools Receive Cash Awards and Free STEM Programming
13 March 2025
Challenger Center and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announce Kelsy Achtenberg, Allan Miller, and Kevin L. Simmons as the winners of the 2025 Trailblazing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Educator Award…
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AIAA Statement on Blue Origin’s Successful NS-30 Mission
26 February 2025
AIAA CEO Clay Mowry made the following statement: “Congratulations to Blue Origin on its 10th human flight, a successful NS-30 mission. It’s an exciting time in history, witnessing the number of commercial astronauts…
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AIAA Releases Report Advocating for Certification of Advanced Air Mobility Vehicles
20 February 2025
With novel aircraft poised to usher in a global revolution in aerial operations and travel, AIAA has released recommendations addressing regulatory and other hurdles that could hinder…
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Dryden Lecturer Addresses Future of Getting to Greener Aviation
10 February 2025
As the aviation sector looks to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the biggest gains may not happen in the air but on the ground, stated Tim Lieuwen, the 2025 AIAA Dryden Lecturer in Research, during the 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum in January.