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Research is being conducted to better understand, predict, and prevent accidents due to wake turbulence. Such turbulence is previously been a major concern at and near airports. However, the concern is expanding. Wake avoidance systems are also being developed.

A significant relationship has been found between greater age and lower aviator performance, in a study of 100 aviators aged 50-69 with a mean age of 58 years, but age explained 22% or less of the variation in performance on different flight tasks so other factors are also important in explaining performance by older pilots. Simulated flight performance was related to to age of the pilot in the study. The pilots will be followed for at least 3 years because longitudinal study over time is necessary to get rid of possible cohort effects.

Engineers from the University of California Los Angeles are turning to nature to help solve a very human problem: the rising costs of fuel for air travel. Researchers at the [...]

This article presents the findings of exploratory research on technology transfer and subcontracting in aeronautics. The purpose of this research is to explore the impact that the type of subcontracting agreement (otherwise partnering characteristics) could have on the level of technology transfer occurring between a main contractor and its subcontractors. The scope and the nature of technology flows taking place through equipment acquisition or know-how and the complexities arising from the way the subcontracting relationships are managed are considered. The aeronautical industry was selected because it is technology-intensive and presents technology transfers. In our sample we observe that: (1) the main contractor and its subcontractors do not necessarily develop the same perceptions of their subcontracting agreements; (2) the technology transfer flows are mainly unidirectional, going from the main contractor to its subcontractors; and (3) partnering seems to be an idealized condition rather than a reality. The managerial implications of our findings are discussed. Keywords: Subcontracting; Technology transfer; Partnering; Aeronautics

Watch how a bird comes in to land. If you look closely, you can see how the feathers spread to make the wings broader, how the wings themselves curve to [...]

Sporting a striking forward-swept wing made of adyanced composite materials and so skittish that it must be kept aloft by a computerized fly-by-wire control system, the X-29A technology demonstrator promises [...]

NASA's Langley Research Center and Wallops Flight Facility perform research geared towards new cockpit and aerodynamic technologies. A variety of programs take place at these facilities, such as Global Positioning System automatic landing studies.

NASA's Office of Aeronautics oversees research programs involving 112 aircraft. A team of officials helps to determine manpower needs, flight facilities and resources, and managerial and organizational planning for research programs.

High-performance flight research is often the focus of the Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility. The facility is a part of NASA's Ames Research Center.

In order to better manage drawings and design configurations for its four Space Shuttle orbiters, NASA is studying the feasibility of converting the two-dimensional drawings used to create past parts [...]

Science of strikes and gutter balls Aerospace engineers who have spent the last few decades perfecting missile launching technology might think their work led only to improved military weapons and [...]