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.
Key Topics
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.
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.
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
At the AIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, the Hyatt Regency Orlando, Orlando FL.
Panelists, which includes two Tuskegee Airmen, will reflect on their experiences and what should be done to reinforce positive experiences and eliminate negative experiences in the future. They will also discuss a necessary shift in thinking, and how the fast pace of technology change is affecting, and will affect, industry, government, and academia.
COURSES
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LEARNING TRACK: Responsible AI in Aerospace (Starts 1 Apr 2025)
1 April - 22 May 2025
During Spring 2025, AIAA will offer an online series of Artificial Intelligence short courses focusing on Responsible AI.
Open for registration. Register Now
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Advanced Flight Dynamics and Control of Aircraft, Missiles, and Hypersonic Vehicles – Online Short Course (Starts 6 May 2025)
6 May - 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
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Flight Test Techniques for UAS – Online Short Course (Starts 28 April 2025)
28 April - 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
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Applications of Generative AI with Large Language Models in Aviation and Aerospace – Online Short Course (Starts 13 May 2025)
13 May - 22 May 2025
Explore AI's frontiers in aviation and aerospace! Join our new course on Large Language Model (LLM) Application Development, focused on AI applicability in the aviation and aerospace industries.
Open for registration. Register Now
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AI Design and Deployment Risks for Aerospace Applications – Online Short Course (Starts 29 April 2025)
29 April - 8 May 2025
Deepen your understanding of aerospace autonomy and AI risk management with this third AIAA course in the Responsible AI series.
Open for registration. Register Now
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AI for Aerospace Applications: Ethics, Policy, and Society – Online Short Course (Starts 15 April 2025)
15 April - 24 April 2025
Navigate the intersection of AI, ethics, policy, and societal impact with this course tailored to the unique challenges of AI and aerospace applications.
Open for registration. Register Now
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Systems Engineering and Artificial Intelligence for Aerospace Applications – Online Short Course (Starts 1 Apr 2025)
1 April - 10 April 2025
Advance your expertise in AI for aerospace with this first course in the AIAA series, focusing on building systems with Artificial Intelligence and using AI to enhance the systems engineering process.
Open for registration. Register Now
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Advanced Hydrogen Aerospace Technologies and Design
NEWS
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AIAA Announces Class of 2025 Honorary Fellows and Fellows
9 December 2024
AIAA proudly congratulates its newly elected Class of 2025 Honorary Fellows and Fellows. The class will be inducted during a ceremony on Tuesday, 29 April, in Washington, DC, and celebrated during the AIAA Awards Gala on Wednesday, 30 April, at Grand Hyatt Washington... -
AIAA Announces 2024 Region VII Student Conference Winners
5 December 2024
AIAA is pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 Region VII Student Conference, held in November at the University of Adelaide, Australia. -
AIAA Announces 2025 Sustained Service Awards Winners
3 December 2024
AIAA is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Sustained Service Awards. The award recognizes sustained, significant service and contributions to AIAA by members of the Institute. -
AIAA Statement on Blue Origin’s Successful NS-28 Mission
22 November 2024
AIAA issued the following statement from AIAA CEO Clay Mowry: “On behalf of the 30,000 professional and student members of AIAA, we congratulate Blue Origin on its successful NS-28 mission. The New Shepard program embodies the promises of space... -
AIAA to Honor Aerospace Award Winners at the 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum
22 November 2024
AIAA will bestow awards to over 20 aerospace innovators who made an impact on the industry over the past year during the 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum, 6–10 January 2025, Orlando, Fla. -
AIAA Statement on Sixth SpaceX Starship Test Flight
20 November 2024
AIAA issued the following statement from AIAA CEO Clay Mowry: “Congratulations to the SpaceX team on its sixth test flight of Starship. We’re following with anticipation SpaceX’s progress through its rapid, iterative testing... -
2025 AIAA Durand Lectureship for Public Service Awarded to The Boeing Company’s Kevin G. Bowcutt
18 November 2024
AIAA is pleased to announce the 2025 AIAA Durand Lectureship for Public Service is awarded to Kevin G. Bowcutt, Principal Senior Technical Fellow and Chief Scientist of Hypersonics for The Boeing Company... -
2025 AIAA Dryden Lectureship in Research Awarded to Tim C. Lieuwen, Georgia Institute of Technology
18 November 2024
AIAA is pleased to announce the 2025 AIAA Dryden Lectureship in Research is awarded to Tim C. Lieuwen, Regents’ Professor, David S. Lewis Jr. Chair, and Executive Director of the Strategic Energy Institute...