15 October 2002 The Honorable Tom Daschle Dear Senator Daschle: The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers-USA (IEEE-USA) strongly urges you to support S.2951, the Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering, and Development Act. The bipartisan bill was introduced by Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Fritz Hollings (D-S.C.), and John McCain (R-Ariz.). The bill calls for a significant but essential increase in the FAA budget for research, engineering, and development activities for projects including aviation safety, improving efficiency of the air traffic control system, reducing the environmental impact of aviation, and improving the efficiency of mission support. It also calls for the Administrator of the FAA to work with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to develop a blueprint for the creation of an innovative air traffic management system that will meet the long-term aviation security, safety and capacity needs of the U.S. These needs are clearly the function of the U.S. Government and have not been addressed for several years. In recent years the IEEE-USA has expressed concerns that reducing federal funding for aviation R&D will jeopardize the nation's leadership in providing the technologies needed to develop the next generation aircraft, improve aviation safety and security, and attract the next generation of aviation scientists and engineers. Assuring the nation's ability to develop innovative technologies to inhibit future terrorist usurpation of the nation's air transportation system, as well as to develop advanced technologies for defense is of paramount importance. The Presidential Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry has noted these deficiencies in their interim reports. In the June 26, 2002 report, the commission noted several negative conditions/trends. Among them are, "U.S. civil transport aircraft market share declining, NASA FAA research funding in decline, no U.S, regional jet production, serious air traffic control challenges airport saturation foreign government sponsored competitors". Furthermore, as noted in the Second and Third Interim Report, "the limitations to air traffic capacity growth are a major challenge facing the nation". The third report made the following observation, "NASA and FAA budgets aimed at air transportation's growth have been declining for a number of years. The long lead-time for increasing aviation capacity calls for immediate Administration and Congressional attention to address this major national need." Over the past decade, funding for aeronautics research and development in the United States has fallen precipitously. This has resulted in serious deficiencies in our aviation systems including reduced safety and degraded efficiency, leading to major congestion and delays, and damage to the environment. S.2951 will go a long way towards alleviating these shortcomings and meeting the recommendations of the Presidential Commission. The IEEE-USA, a professional society representing over 235,0000 US engineers, strongly urges your support of this urgently needed legislation. S 2951 is the most important near term legislative approach to solving this serious national crisis. Sincerely, LeEarl A. Bryant, P.E. Same letter sent to all U.S. Senators | Top of Page | Policy Log | Public Policy Forum | IEEE-USA | Last Update:
16 Oct. 2002 Copyright ©
2002, The
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