Progress in Aviation Through Aircraft Engineering and Modification Presented by Louis J. Bottino Federal Aviation Administration William J. Hughes Technical Center November 2, 2005

Progress in Aviation Through Aircraft Engineering and Modification The Aircraft Engineering and Modification Concept Aircraft Engineering and Flight Test Aircraft Engineering Methodologies and Project Installations The Economic Feasibility and Economic Necessity Conclusions Acknowledgements

Progress in Aviation Through Aircraft Engineering and Modification The Aircraft Engineering and Modification Concept - Commercial Aircraft Engineering and Modification Services - Partnerships With Academic Institutions - Aerospace-Related Government Agencies

Progress in Aviation Through Aircraft Engineering and Modification The Aircraft Engineering and Modification Concept Improvements in Civil Aviation Have Evolved From The Combined Efforts Of The Aerospace Industry, Research and Development Institutions and the Military (1) Changes In Aerodynamic Thinking Have Inspired New Design Techniques, Tools, And Fabrication Methods (2) Research and Development Institutions Have Received Grants To Explore and Study New Technologies (3) The Airline Industry Has Invested Capital and Human Resources Over Time to Promote The Success of New Technologies (4) Aeronautical Technology Usually Advances After The Success of Each Space Program.

Progress in Aviation Through Aircraft Engineering and Modification The Aircraft Engineering and Modification Concept To Advance Aviation Using Aircraft Modification These Companies Have Gone Into Collaborations, Agreements and Long-Term Research Programs (1) Modification Efforts Are Sometimes Long Range And Part Of A Larger Effort. (2) The Modification Process Is Similar In Each Case Since A Set Of Rules Prescribed By The FAA Code Of Federal Regulations Are Followed. (3) Government Agencies Involved In Aviation And Aerospace-Related Activities Have Expanded Their Roles Beyond The Regulatory Mission Associated With Them. (4) The National Aeronautics And Space Administration ( NASA ), The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ), The FAA And Certain Parts Of The DOD Have Initiated Agreements And Beneficial Arrangements With Aerospace Companies And The Airline Industry.

Progress in Aviation Through Aircraft Engineering and Modification Commercial Aircraft Engineering And Modification Services A Modification To An Aircraft Can Be Complex Or Basic. This Usually Depends On The Purpose And Goals Of The Modification (1) Demands For These Desired Changes Have Increased The Number Of Companies That Provide Specialized Services In Aircraft Engineering And Modification. (2) Aircraft Engineering & Installation (AEI) Services Is A Florida-Based Corporation Serving The Air Transport, Regional Airline, And Heavy Corporate Jet Markets. (3) Orion Technologies Is An Aerospace Design And Engineering Firm Located In Snohomish, WA. Services Include : 1 ) Changes To Experimental Aircraft And Development 2 ) Important Parameters - a ) Market-Oriented Aesthetics b ) Optimized Performance c ) Structural Integrity

Progress in Aviation Through Aircraft Engineering and Modification Commercial Aircraft Engineering And Modification Services Aircraft Technical Service (ATS) In Van Nuys, California Is A Professional Modification Service That Handles Complex Modification Programs (1) The ATS Application Pro / Engineer Gives The Designer More Flexibility In Routing Systems Such As : a ) Ducting b ) Piping c ) Wiring Harnesses. (2) Their Engineering Capabilities Are Structural And Electrical (3) The Company Has Successfully Engineered Programs For The : (a) DC-10 Flying Test Bed (b) Boeing 720 Flying Test Bed (c) DC-9 And Boeing 7 (4) The ATS Modification Of The DC-10 Was A Complex Task. Interior Reconfigured To Install : (a) Over Eighteen 6 Ft Tall Equipment Racks (b) Twelve Operator Workstations (c) Customer Presentation Area In The Rear Cabin

Progress in Aviation Through Aircraft Engineering and Modification Commercial Aircraft Engineering And Modification Services Dependent On The Type Of Modification And Desired Functionalities In- Depth Studies Are Performed Using A Staff Of Scientists And Consulting Engineers (1) Aerocon ( Aerospace Consulting ) Engineering Delivers Full Range Of Engineering Support And FAA Interface Services For Small And Large Transport Aircraft. (2) Aerocon Has Scientists Specializing in : (a) Structural Analysis (b) Aerodynamics (c) Thermodynamics (d) Physics (e) Materials Research (3) Design, Analysis And Installation Interface For Propulsion And Fuel System Analysis Is Another Service Provided By Aerocon.

Progress in Aviation Through Aircraft Engineering and Modification Commercial Aircraft Engineering And Modification Services Demands For Large And Small Aircraft Repairs Have Created A Specialized And New Marketplace (1) Instead Of Test Bed Configurations, There Are Market-Oriented Aesthetics Or Avionic Enhancements That Require Repair Services. (2) Associated Air Center Is Located In Dallas, Texas Repairs And Modifies Aircraft Structures, Electrical And Avionic Systems. (3) General Dynamic Advanced Information Systems (AIS) Sensor Flight Test Center Is Dedicated To The Installation And Integration Of Remote Sensing Equipment. (4) Northwest Aerospace Technologies (NAT) Is An Aerospace Services Company Specializing In Commercial Aircraft Modification Programs. (a) Interior Reconfigurations Are The Specialty Of NAT (b) Experienced With Airbus, Boeing, Regional Jets And Cert Processes.

Progress in Aviation Through Aircraft Engineering and Modification Commercial Partnerships With Academic Institutions Universities And Research Learning Centers Receive Grants Each Year From Aerospace Companies And Government Agencies Involved In Aviation-Related Activities (1) The Avionics Engineering Center (AEC) At Ohio University Demonstrates The Partnership Between Academic Institutions And The Government. (2) The University Of Washington School Of Aeronautics And Astronautics Is An other Premier Facility Known For Research. (a) The Aerospace And Engineering Building Was Funded By NASA (b) The Redmond Plasma Physics Laboratory Was Built With Support From The Department Of Energy (3) Faculties Of The Georgia Institute Of Technology Have Professors Involved In Aeronautical And Aerodynamic Research. (a) Investments With The Air Force Of Scientific Research (b) The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) (c) NASA And The National Science Foundation (NSF).

Progress in Aviation Through Aircraft Engineering and Modification Aerospace-Related Government Agencies Aerospace Companies Have Started New Business Relationships And Continued Old Ones With Many Aerospace-Related Government Agencies (1) To Provide Maintenance And Mod Services For Part Of NASA’s Fleet, A Contract Was To DynCorp Technical Services LLC In Fort Worth. (2) One Of NASA’s Modification Projects Was The Creation Of The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). (a) Largest Observatory In The World (b) L-3 Communications Integrated Systems Provided : i. Design Engineering ii. Airframe Structural Modification iii. Telescope Design Integration and iv. Flight Test Activities To Deliver An FAA-Certified SOFIA Observatory.

Progress in Aviation Through Aircraft Engineering and Modification Aerospace-Related Government Agencies There Are International Aviation Authorities That U.S. Government Agencies Have Recognized As Leaders In The Aviation Community. (1) These Authorities Have Contributed To Establishing International Standards In Aviation. (2) One Representative International Body Is The Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA), Which Is Part Of The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC). (3) Since 1987 The JAA Has Extended Their Interest To Operations, Maintenance, Licensing And Certification / Design Standards For All Standards Of Aircraft. (4) The JAA Has Placed Much Emphasis On Equating Their Regulations With Those Of The FAA.