Page 6 - Aerotech News and Review 11-4-16

Panel discusses importance of advancing technology
by Linda KC Reynolds
staff writer
Mojave Air and Space Port hosted an aeronautics forum billed as a field hearing for the house Committee on Science, Space and Technology, where leaders from public and private sector flight experimentation programs dis- cussed the state of American aeronau- tics research, development and test & evaluation programs.
The panelists included Rep. Steve Knight, R-Calif.; Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, chairman of the House Com- mittee on Science, Space and Technol- ogy; David McBride, director, Arm- strong Flight Research Center, NASA; Craig Johnston, director, Aeronautics Strategy and Business Development, Skunk Works, Lockheed Martin; and Maj. Gen. Curtis M. Bedke, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), senior non-resident fel- low, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
Putting context to the purpose of the forum and the importance of the “Aerospace Valley,” moderator Stuart Witt, former CEO of the Mojave Air and Space Port, said that 120 years ago the average human moved across the face of the earth at the speed of their feet. “That had not changed in 50,000 years. In a mere 50 years we have managed to increase that rate 200 mph and in 75 years, point 8-2 Mach, where it has remained stagnant for 50 years.”
Witt said that it is time to acceler- ate aviation culture through policy and funding in a combined effort of indus- try and government.
“Our nation deserves, demands and expects nothing else. It’s time to move boldly and achieve enormous advanc- es as we did in the 1950s and 1960s
through the X- plane experience.” He humorously stated that the most unsafe thing you can do today is to cross the street while looking at your cell phone.
H.R. 5466 is a bill authored and introduced by Knight to advance the Aeronautics Innovation Act and es- tablishes long-term goals promoting interagency cooperation, directing Congress to commit to funding the necessary programs.
“Funding has to go beyond the ad- ministrations in office,” said Knight, who also sits on three armed service committees. He is also passionate about promoting STEM programs that will inspire students to pursue higher education in technology.
“Mojave is not in Mr. Knight’s dis- trict but every single piece of legisla- tion passed and signed by the gover- nor on my watch, is because of Steve Knight,” said Witt, who is known internationally for inspiring private aerospace companies to take risks for the advancement of space travel and encouraging cutting edge technology. He also helped turn the space port into a billion dollar industry.
“Clearly this is the aerospace center of the world,” stated Smith who heads the committee that creates policy and oversite with a budget of $40 billion and last visited Mojave two years ago. “The atmosphere here is so conducive to being inspired.” He said that Amer- ica and the world is going to benefit from the advances happening at the space port.
Besides advancing technology, aerospace has a tremendous economic impact of $1.5 trillion to the nation’s economy and 12 million jobs.
The first country and companies that develop, build and sell supersonic air-
craft are going to own the market and the jobs, explained McBride.
Lockheed Martin and four other companies have a contract from NASA to design a supersonic passenger air- craft. Flying from Los Angeles to New York would take approximately two hours compared to 4.5.
The panel agreed that going with a cheaper contractor is not always better, and when things are not working out as planned, the government may have to end a contract with an aerospace com- pany — yet, also, the government must remember that flight test is a learning
curve. “Industry becomes risk adverse when there are fears that any mistake will end funding for a research pro- gram,” said Johnson.
When it came time for audience comments, Dr. Greg Autry, co-author, of Death by China and assistant busi- ness professor at USC, said that NA- SA’s budget is a national embarrass- ment, because it represents less than 1 percent of our total budget.
“The investment in science research, aircraft and space in particular, deliv- ers more economic returns than ex- penditures and insures our national
security,” he said. “Our spending on the future pales in comparison to what we are spending on our past as entitle- ment programs consume our nation.
“We own this to future Americans,” explained Autry, who also serves on the board of the American Jobs Alli- ance and as senior economist with the Coalition for a Prosperous America, a non-profit organizations dedicated to restoring America’s strength through trade reform and practical industrial policy. He is also a writer who contrib- utes to Forbes and other magazines.
Mojave Air and Space Port hosted an aeronautics forum billed as a field hearing for the house Committee on Science, Space and Technology. The panelists are David McBride, director, Armstrong Flight Research Center, NASA; Maj. Gen. Curtis M. Bedke, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), senior non-resident fellow, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies; Lamar Smith, R-Texas, chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology; California Congressman Steve Knight; and Craig Johnston, director, Aeronautics Strategy and Business development, Skunk Works, Lockheed Martin. Stuart Witt (not pictured), former CEO of the space port, moderated the event.
Photograph by Linda KC Reynolds
Havin’ a ball!
Air Force photographs by Joseph Gocong
Branch Elementary School students have some new athletic equipment to play with thanks to Edwards AFB’s Middle Tier Association, Air Force Security Forces Association and Chief Master Sgt. Todd Simmons, 412th Test Wing command chief. Recently, students brought home flyers requesting donations of physical education equipment for the school. Members of the MTA saw the flyers and contacted the principal to ask what was needed. The MTA got together with the AFSFA and Simmons and raised $900 to buy the new PE equipment. Everything from basketballs and footballs, to hula hoops and dancing ribbons were purchased and donated to the school Oct. 7.
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