NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Image above: Collage of Small Aircraft Transportation System Aircraft. Image Credit: NASA

Imagine taking a safe, fast, small airplane from a neighborhood airport to visit your family 600 miles away. Imagine almost door-to-door, on-demand service that means you may never see a crowded, major hub airport again.

NASA's Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) project, held on June 5-7 in Danville, Va., offered a glimpse into that kind of personalized air travel.

Image to left: Artist Conception. Small Aircraft Transportation System technology may, one day, allow small aircraft to land at airports near business or tourist destinations. Image Credit: NASA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and industry partners joined NASA in showcasing forward-looking aviation technologies at 'SATS 2005: A Transformation of Air Travel.' NASA Administrator Michael Griffin and FAA Administrator Marion Blakey were in attendance and helped kick off the demonstration at the Danville Regional Airport.

For small planes to fly safely and reliably into more than 3,400 community airports in all kinds of weather, they need crucial new technologies and operating capabilities since many of these small airfields do not have control towers or radar. The demonstration by NASA, FAA and state research groups - known as SATSlabs, used six airplanes equipped with advanced cockpit technologies and displays to demonstrate how small planes can fly safely and efficiently into these local and regional airports.

The event attracted more than 3,000 aviation enthusiasts during the three-day event and was considered a great success in showcasing new aviation technologies.

SATS is a five-year, public-private research partnership between NASA, FAA and the National Consortium for Aviation Mobility.

Recent SATS News Releases:

SATS 2005 Technology Event to Attract Noted Aviation Experts

Educational Opportunities to Highlight Aircraft Technology Event

Related SATS Web Sites:

NASA Langley Research Center

http://sats.nasa.gov

SATS 2005 Demonstration

http://www.sats2005.com/

National Consortium for Aviation Mobility

http://ncam-sats.org/