Newsletters

The clock is ticking – have you voted yet in the Board of Directors election?

If you have, sincere thanks for your support of the Institute. If you haven’t, please take a moment and vote today – the deadline of 8 April is rapidly approaching! (Voting remains open all day Monday, 8 April, until 2400 hrs EDT.) We strongly encourage you to take a few minutes out of your busy schedule and vote today, before the deadline. Visit www.aiaa.org/BODvote, log in to view the candidate statements, and follow the easy steps to cast your ballot.

Our electronic voting system is efficient and easy to navigate; it will only take a few minutes to log in, enter your votes, and cast your ballot. For the most effective and representative election results, we are counting on a wide range of members to vote, including you! Thank you for your time, and for your continued support of AIAA.

Reminder: Microsoft Internet Explorer 10, released after voting began, is not compatible with the online voting system – please use another browser, or an earlier version of IE.

Board of Directors Voter's Guide > (PDF)
Board of Directors Election Booklet > (PDF)
Access Election System >

The 16th annual AIAA Congressional Visits Day program took place 19–20 March, drawing 167 AIAA members from 44 AIAA sections, representing 35 states as well as the District of Columbia, to Washington, DC, to meet with their elected representatives and discuss matters of vital importance to America’s aerospace community. Through over 300 meetings with congressional decision makers, AIAA members discussed a number of topics.

Full Story and Photos >

Everyone,

I was fortunate enough to attend the National Space Club’s Goddard Memorial Dinner on Friday, 22 March. My jaw dropped open as I listened to the keynote speech of AIAA student member Erik Lopez from the University of Illinois. Hearing his comments reminded me all over again of the power of the aerospace industry to reach out and inspire people. All of the cool, high-tech, leading-edge projects we work on not only make a difference to our society, country, and world, but also on a personal level, to the lives of our young people.

(Pictured: AIAA Executive Director Sandy Magnus)
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What started as California Aerospace Day in 2012 has become California Aerospace Week, celebrated this year from 11–14 March. The event kicked off on Monday, 11 March with the reading of two proclamations in the California State Senate, sponsored by California State Senator Steve Knight, which thanked AIAA and NASA for organizing the California Aerospace Week and related events. Additionally, the Senate and later in the week the Assembly passed a Resolution designating March California Aerospace Month, highlighting the importance of the aerospace industry to California and praising the industry’s innovative and world-changing technology.

(Pictured, center: CA State Senator Steve Knight, with AIAA staff members Duane Hyland, left, and Ross Bell)
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AIAA now lets you print your membership identification card online! It’s quick, easy, and convenient. Even better, your membership card now includes a QR code to improve your conference check-in experience. Printing your new membership card is now as easy as 1–2–3!

More Info >

AIAA mourns the death of AIAA Honorary Fellow Yvonne C. Brill, the developer of the hydrazine resistojet propulsion system for satellite systems, and a 2011 recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama. She was 88 years old.

(Pictured: AIAA Honorary Fellow Yvonne C. Brill receives the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama. Image Credit: National Science & Technology Medals Foundation)
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AIAA successfully co-hosted a policy symposium 26–28 March, “Civilian Applications of UAVs – A California Perspective,” in conjunction with California Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (44th District). The symposium focused on the various uses of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in such civilian applications as agriculture, disaster monitoring and relief, forest fire management, law enforcement, and water supply monitoring throughout the state of California. The event took place at the Westlake Village Hyatt in Westlake Village, CA, and was heavily attended by a variety of California emergency personnel, industry professionals, academics, and local politicians.

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Comments from the public are now being received on a proposed ANSI/AIAA document that provides design standard requirements for high-voltage space power systems that operate in the plasma environment associated with low earth orbit (LEO). Such power systems, particularly solar arrays, are the proximate cause of unwanted spacecraft charging in LEO, and these systems can interact with this environment in a number of ways that are potentially destructive to themselves and to the platform or vehicle that has deployed them.

More Info >

AIAA is seeking an outstanding candidate with an international reputation to assume the responsibilities of Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics. The chosen candidate will assume the editorship at an exciting time, as new features and functionality intended to enhance journal content are being added to Aerospace Research Central, AIAA’s platform for electronic publications. Interested candidates are invited to send letters of application describing their reasons for applying, summarizing their relevant experience and qualifications, and setting out their initial priorities for the journal; full resumes; and complete lists of published papers.

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AIAA has changed the name of its “Journal of Aerospace Computing, Information, and Communication ” (JACIC) to “Journal of Aerospace Information Systems” (JAIS). The new title and publication scope allows JAIS to focus on a wider variety of research within the aerospace information systems community than was possible under the scope of JACIC. If you are interested in submitting an article to JAIS or are interested in learning more, visit www.arc.aiaa.org/loi/jacic.

Presentation slides and a complete Podcast of the Future in-Space Operations (FISO) Working Group Teleconference that took place 3 April are now available on the AIAA website. Taber MacCallum, Paragon Space Development Corporation, and John Carrico, Applied Defense Solutions, present “Inspiration Mars.” AIAA is pleased to host this information at www.aiaa.org/KeySpeeches2013 on behalf of the FISO Working Group.

The 54th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference will be held 8–11 April in Boston, MA, along with co-located events including the 21st AIAA/ASME/AHS Adaptive Structures Conference, the 15th AIAA Non-Deterministic Approaches Conference, the 14th AIAA Dynamics Specialists Conference, the 14th AIAA Gossamer Systems Forum, and the 9th AIAA Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Specialist Conference. To register, or for the most up-to-date conference information, visit www.aiaa.org/sdm2013.

The AIAA Aerospace Spotlight Awards Gala is set for 8 May at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, in Washington, DC. AIAA cordially invites you to participate in a night dedicated to honoring achievements in aerospace. Join us, along with the most influential and inspiring individuals in the industry, as they are recognized during this momentous celebration.

To purchase a table or individual seats, please visit www.aiaa.org/gala2013.

The 19th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference (34th AIAA Aeroacoustics Conference) will be held 27–28 May in Berlin, Germany. The AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference has established itself as the premier international forum for the field of aeroacoustics. It offers scientists and engineers from industry, government, and universities an exceptional opportunity to exchange knowledge and results of current studies and to discuss directions for future research.

To register, or to preview this year’s agenda, visit www.aiaa.org/aeroacoustics2013.

The 2013 Aerospace Today … and Tomorrow symposium will be held 6 June in Williamsburg, VA. Since 1989, Aerospace Today ... and Tomorrow has provided a forum for executive discussions on how the aerospace industry is progressing, from both government and corporate perspectives. This year’s theme is “Disruptive Innovation, A Value Proposition.”

To register, or to preview the 2013 agenda, visit www.aiaa.org/ATT2013.

The 2013 AIAA Fluid Dynamics and Co-located Conferences and Exhibit will be held 24–27 June in San Diego, CA. This conference provides a unique opportunity to participate in seven AIAA conferences in one location! Joint sessions between many of these events are planned to encourage synergism and collaboration among communities. The early-bird registration deadline is 28 May. This event includes the following conferences: the 43rd AIAA Fluid Dynamics Conference and Exhibit, the 44th AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference, the 44th AIAA Thermophysics Conference, the 31st AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference, the 21st AIAA Computational Fluid Dynamics Conference, the 5th AIAA Atmospheric and Space Environments Conference, and the AIAA Ground Testing Conference.

To register, or to preview this year’s agenda, visit www.aiaa.org/fluids2013.

AIAA Aviation and Aeronautics Forum 2013, set for 12–14 August in Los Angeles, is a premier, forward-looking forum designed to showcase recent innovations and achievements in aviation, highlight new initiatives and plans, and address key issues that need to be resolved in order to define clear roadmaps for future progress. Major themes for AIAA AVIATION 2013 include: (Updated April 2013)

• Commercial Aviation: Global Outlook, Opportunities, and Challenges
• Military Aviation: Future Challenges Facing Military Aviation
• Business Aviation, General Aviation, and Rotorcraft: Global Outlook, Opportunities, and Challenges
• The Connectivity Challenge: Protecting Critical Assets in a Networked World
• The Energy Imperative
• Developing the Market for Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Shaping the Discussion: Key Policy Issues
• Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Conference
• International Powered Lift Conference (IPLC)
• Complex Aerospace Systems Exchange (CASE)

To learn more about AVIATION 2013, visit www.aiaa.org/aviation2013.

AIAA continuing education courses provide you with the knowledge you need to excel in your field ... or the leg up you need to move into a new field. With more than 100 available courses offered through AIAA and its partners, ranging from fundamentals to advanced-level topics, you’re sure to find a course that suits your needs.

Check out our upcoming courses in the areas of Systems Engineering, Spacecraft Design, CFD, UAV and more! Register Today and Save!

View the complete course list and scheduled courses. Missed a Webinar? No worries – download any one of our on-demand webinars!

13–17 January 2014
National Harbor, Maryland (near Washington, DC)

AIAA has consolidated more than 10 individual technical events into one – SciTech 2014, making it the world’s largest event for aerospace research, development, and technology. SciTech 2014 gives you extensive access to a wide range of the latest research and development – not just in your own areas of expertise, but across technological boundaries – all for a single registration fee. It also lets you share lessons learned and provide mentoring across organizations and disciplines, advancing technological innovation, education, economic progress, and national security. This synergy is further strengthened by an expanded exhibit hall, with leading aerospace companies showcasing their latest technologies and capabilities. Plus, the larger platform makes SciTech 2014 more relevant, and more consistent with the requirements of travel policies.

Call for Papers is now open!

What will you miss if you’re not there?

• AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition (SciTech 2014)
  13–17 January 2014
  National Harbor, MD (near Washington, DC)

To submit your abstract, or for the most up-to-date conference information, please visit the event web page, by clicking the above link.

As part of AIAA’s collaboration with the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics (CSAA), the Institute is pleased to be an overseas partner for the International UAV Innovation Grand Prix. This event will be held in October 2013 in Beijing. The Grand Prix features unmanned aerial vehicle design competitions and will award prizes for creativity and athletics. The application deadline is 31 May 2013. For more information and to apply to participate in the competitions, please visit www.uavgp.com.cn.

Now is the time to start thinking about who in your Region/Section is eligible for Associate Fellow, Fellow, and Honorary Fellow. Associate Fellow candidates shall be persons who have accomplished or been in charge of important engineering or scientific work, or who have done work of outstanding merit or have otherwise made outstanding contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics. Nominees must be AIAA Senior Members and have at least 12 years of professional experience. Associate Fellow nominations are due 15 April 2013 and references are due 15 May 2013.

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AIAA will present awards honoring achievements in the fields of aeroelasticity and structural mechanics at the 54th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, to be held 8–11 April 2013, at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers, Boston, MA.

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View photos from the AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Conference.

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(Click on "Daytona Beach")

AIAA and the American Society for Composites (ASC) congratulate the winners of the 2013 AIAA-ASC James H. Starnes, Jr. Award, Michael W. Hyer, N. Waldo Harrison professor emeritus, Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, and Keith T. Kedward, professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA.

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The AIAA Member Spotlight for April 2013, shines on Mary Lassiter Snitch, Senior Manager, External Business Relations, Lockheed Martin Corporate Engineering and Technology.

An AIAA Fellow, Snitch has held several leadership posts throughout her membership with AIAA. She is currently the Vice President-Elect for Public Policy. Previously, she has served as a Director – International from 2011 to 2013, and as Vice President for Member Services from 2008 to 2011. She currently serves as an appointed member of the Compensation Committee. Other active Committee engagement includes Corporate Member, International Activities, and Public Policy. Snitch is also a former Chair of AIAA’s National Capital Section 2002–03.

Snitch’s inspiration to enter aerospace as a profession came from the times she was raised in, explaining: “I was a child of the Sputnik era and to this day I have a vivid memory of watching the news coverage on a black-and-white television in my classroom. As I progressed through high school, I was very interested in math and science and was fortunate to have strong and very memorable teachers on those subjects, but I opted for business degrees in college – B.S. in Business Management, George Mason University, and MBA, Business, Economics and Public Policy, George Washington University.”

(Pictured: Mary Lassiter Snitch, AIAA Fellow)
Full Story >

Attending the 54th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference in Boston? Visit the AIAA Bookstore for new releases, popular titles, and member discounts.

Who, on 28 April 2001, became the first paying “Space Tourist”?

Bonus: What type of undergraduate degree does this person hold?

Answers >

The April 2013 issue of Aerospace America is now available online for AIAA members. Don’t miss this month's feature article, “The Road to Iron Dome,” in which author Marc Selinger discusses Israel's antirocket system and how well it has performed in meeting the major technical challenge of “hitting a bullet with a bullet.” As Selinger writes, “Although just one element of a multi-layered system that has evolved over many years, Iron Dome has been effective enough to have significant potential for sales to other countries.”



To access the April issue of Aerospace America visit www.aiaa.org/myaiaa, log in, and navigate to “Access Publications & Materials” to select “Aerospace America.”

Liberty Mutual is pleased to offer AAIA members special savings and personalized coverage. Enjoy exceptional service your way: at a local office, by phone, online or via mobile device. We will help ensure you, your family and your valuables are properly protected. Visit Liberty Mutual for a free quote.

The AIAA Career Center has the most comprehensive career and recruiting tools for the aerospace industry. Set up an account today and gain access to a variety of aerospace job postings, salary information, professional career timelines and much more! Also, Career Resources for job seekers is now available via the AIAA Career Center.

1 April 2013
AIAA Symposium Spotlights Economic Potential of UAV Industry
Mother Jones – Government Pain = Drone Maker's Gain

1 April 2013
AIAA Symposium on Future of Commercial UAV Use Spotlights Future of UAV Industry
sUAS News – Industry Watchers Ponder Future of Drones at Local Conference

More AIAA in the News >

Contact the Editor of AIAA Momentum–News to Accelerate the Aerospace Profession.
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