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 AIA UPDATE: October 2007, Volume 12, No. 3
Space Systems Division Takes Lead on U.S. Earth Observation Policy AIA has contributed detailed recommendations to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) as that organization shapes action for the U.S. Group on Earth Observations. A working group of AIA's Space Council analyzed a dozen topics submitted by OSTP, and the association's final document provided 23 pages of suggestions, definitions, and data. Recommendations included:
The ad hoc, interagency U.S. Group on Earth Observations addresses data from space, air, land, and sea systems that can be employed by the nation's Integrated Earth Observation System (IEOS) to study the environment from a global perspective. IEOS, in turn, will tie into similar international efforts of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems. Data can be used to predict or respond to natural disasters and to monitor and study wide-ranging phenomena such as climate and weather, energy and water resources, and agriculture. How this data is collected, archived, and employed will have a long-term effect on the aerospace industry's ability to fulfill a variety of needs for the U.S. government, including environmental modeling, sensors, air and space platforms, and data management systems. For AIA's recommendations, click on Library and go to Reports at www.aia-aerospace.org. AIA Source: andrew.barber@aia-aerospace.org Aerospace Focus  Government and Industry Team Focusing on Quality Parts Issues To ensure quality parts management and combat counterfeit parts, which is a growing concern for aerospace and government, AIA's Quality Assurance and Intellectual Property committees have formed a joint industry-government integrated project team. The team's first order of business will be determining a common definition of "counterfeiting," followed by an aggressive action plan. Contributing to counterfeiting problems are activities related to outsourcing to manufacturers other than original equipment producers or their approved suppliers, the Internet's high-speed/fast trade marketplace, parts obsolescence that forces re-engineering or re-design of replacement parts, and cost and schedule compliance pressures. In addition, NASA's increasing use of advanced technologies reduces its ability to use standard military parts and increases the agency's susceptibility to counterfeiting. NASA, FAA, the Defense Department, and the aerospace industry have taken independent actions to mitigate the scope of the problem. Business, for example, has established the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy, of which AIA is a member. From among the Coalition's six task forces, the Detection and Enforcement Task Force is producing a Brand Enforcement Manual, and the Technology Task Force is developing a technology matrix to identify organizations most in need of protecting their supply chains. Without better prevention, a growing number of suspect parts might find their way into aerospace, remain in supply chains for years, and impose an increasingly negative impact on product integrity and businesses. AIA Source: david.pauling@aia-aerospace.org WASHINGTON PIPELINE: Barriers to Public Service Need to be Addressed By John W. Douglass, AIA President and Chief Executive Officer We're in a period of transition here at AIA with my retirement imminent and new President and CEO Marion Blakey poised to step into the leadership position. As these changes take place, it's an appropriate time to reflect on public service and the relationship between government and the aerospace and defense industry. AIA's Legal Committee has studied the issue of public service and the many barriers that impede qualified and dedicated individuals from the private sector from filling government positions. Our research, centered on the Defense Department but applicable to other agencies, shows that the lengthy and cumbersome processes in place to fill government positions are dissuading good candidates. This not only makes government miss out on some of the most talented individuals but also keeps important positions vacant for long stretches of time that sometimes become indefinite. Many Senate-confirmed positions in the Defense Department have been chronically vacant, sometimes filled on an acting basis or by recess appointments. Neither situation provides stability. Other positions that don't require Senate confirmation but are politically appointed routinely go unfilled. Even worse, having a significant number of important DoD positions vacant during wartime is critically undesirable. We found several reasons that these positions go unfilled:
There are some relatively simple improvements agencies can invoke to make government service less distasteful to qualified individuals:
The bottom line is we need the best people possible in a technically demanding industry such as aerospace. Eliminating a large portion of that talent pool with rules that treat all applicants as guilty until proven innocent simply doesn't make any sense. WASHINGTON WATCH: AIA Staff Monitoring Aerospace Matters on Capitol Hill An array of funding, policy, and regulatory matters important to the U.S. aerospace industry is being watched closely by AIA staff during this short fall session of the 110th Congress. Defense Authorization: During the second half of September, the Senate resumed consideration of the fiscal 2008 Defense Authorization Bill. As of September 24, the bill had attracted 487 pending amendments, many of which related to acquisition matters. After several August meetings between AIA, other industry stakeholders, and the Armed Services Committee staff, some of these provisions have passed with changes while the disposition of others remains in question. Defense Appropriations: The Senate Appropriations Committee completed action in early September on the president's fiscal 2008 defense budget request. Committee members cut a modest $4 billion from the top line level of $463 billion, yet added nearly $1 billion to National Guard and Reserve accounts while reducing department Operations & Maintenance by $5.7 billion. The committee also trimmed $310 million from the missile defense top line request of $8.5 billion, directing the single largest decrease ($85 million) to the Pentagon's plan for new interceptors and ground stations in Central Europe. Transportation Appropriations: By an overwhelming majority of 88 to 7, the Senate in September passed the FAA element of the fiscal 2008 Transportation Appropriations Bill. The measure increases FAA's top line by $250 million for a total budget of $15 billion and adds $765 million for the airport grants program to expand nationwide capacity, safety, and noise mitigation efforts. The bill also supports a key AIA policy priority by adding $55 million to expedite the development of the Next Generation Air Transportation System. FAA Reauthorization: Forty-three House Republicans joined 224 Democrats in passing the $68 billion, four-year FAA Reauthorization Act. The 151 GOP votes against the bill, however, provide the president with enough support to sustain a promised veto. Most House Republicans object to a variety of provisions, including re-opening of contract disputes between the FAA and air traffic controllers and the Democrats' refusal to consider a new per-flight user fee proposal that the administration claims would provide more reliable funding for system upgrades. Earlier, an AIA-led coalition won $13 billion in funding to accelerate development of the Next Generation Air Transportation System. R&D Tax Credit Advocacy: AIA's Civil Aviation Council and Tax Matters Committee, along with the association's Legislative Department, continue collaboration on promoting the R&D Tax Credit. At the end of September, an AIA-drafted aviation stakeholder letter to the Senate Finance and the House Ways & Means committees emphasized aerospace benefits of the credit, such as greater flexibility for long-term investment planning to develop or modify military, air transport, space vehicle, and satellite products. Meetings with House and Senate staff have indicated that an extension of the current authority will likely be included in a larger package and passed by the end of the year. AIA Source: patrick.mccartan@aia-aerospace.org WASHINGTON WATCH: AIA Urges FAA and AATF Funding AIA is urging Congress to reauthorize budgets for FAA and the Airport and Airways Trust Fund (AATF) as soon as possible. In a letter to congressional leaders, the association said that maintaining a timely schedule for the Next Generation Air Transportation System, known as NextGen, is critical to modernizing the air traffic control network and curbing flight delays. Referring to the civil aviation overhaul program mandated by the 2003 Second Century of Flight Act, the letter cautioned that if NextGen encounters lapses in funding "critical infrastructure enhancement programs will cease, already severe delays will worsen, and the system will degenerate into gridlock." Also stressed in the letter is the importance of congressional action to extend the AATF because development of NextGen modernization products depends on its solvency. Adding their support to the appeal were the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the American Helicopter Society, the National Air Carriers Association, and the Aerospace States Association. The letter went to House and Senate leaders and senior, bipartisan members of civil aviation committees. AIA Source: brian.elson@aia-aerospace.org WASHINGTON WATCH: Association Forges a Strong Presence in Aerospace Advocacy AIA's long tradition of advocacy for the U.S. aerospace industry and the nation's economic and national security are visible on Capitol Hill in a variety of pro-aerospace actions and committee-sponsored activities. Acquisition Issues: AIA's Procurement & Finance and Legislative teams are coordinating with the Acquisition Reform Working Group to educate congressional offices on the unintended consequences of some of the proposed acquisition measures contained in various defense budget bills. NASA Restoration Amendment: Coordinating with the Coalition for Space Exploration, AIA has taken an active role in briefing Senate staff on the need for a single emergency reimbursement of $1 billion to NASA as a result of unplanned expenses triggered by the Columbia tragedy and Hurricane Katrina. Because the expenditure exceeds the Senate Appropriations Committee's budget cap, the NASA Restoration Amendment requires 60 votes for passage, a difficult challenge given competing domestic and defense spending priorities. Space Programs Luncheon: The AIA-sponsored House Aerospace Caucus had its Fall Capitol Hill luncheon briefing in September. Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Dave Weldon (R-Fla.) introduced featured speakers Michael Griffin, NASA administrator, and James F. Albaugh, president and CEO of The Boeing Company's Integrated Defense Systems. Griffin and Albaugh discussed several national and economic security benefits of space exploration and fielded questions from Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and Aviation Week reporters. U.S.-UK Defense Treaty: The administration will submit the treaty to the Senate for ratification this fall. In anticipation of the ratification debate, AIA's legislative team took part in advocacy meetings with staff aides of the Senate Foreign Relations, Armed Services, and Banking committees. Export Control Modernization: In cooperation with a bipartisan House working group, led by Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.) and Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Pa.), AIA had secured 32 congressional signatures by mid-September on a letter to President Bush urging him to strictly enforce Section 17 of the 1979 Export Administration Act. Sec. 17 gave the Commerce Department export licensing authority over FAA-certified aircraft parts and components, yet the State Department, already saddled with a backlog of 7,000 munitions applications, has never recognized this prerogative. Saudi Arms Sales: A House Foreign Affairs Middle East Sub-committee hearing assessed U.S.-Saudi relations and the administration's 10-year arms sale framework for allies in the Middle East. A group of House members, led by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), plan to introduce a joint resolution of disapproval of the Saudi Arabian component. Kibler is AIA Director of Membership Michael Kibler has joined AIA as director of membership services. Bringing more than 20 years of membership services experience to the association, Kibler previously worked at the Healthcare Distribution Management Association and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists in membership recruitment and retention capacities. He earned a bachelor's degree in business management and economics from David Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. Kibler can be reached at michael.kibler@aia-aerospace.org. Industry Objects to Defense Department Proposal to Stretch Payment Due Dates AIA is opposing a proposed amendment to Defense Department acquisition regulations that would burden contractors with significant additional costs by extending the waiting period for payment of some invoices. For example, the amount of time DoD would have to pay invoices for interim contractor financing under cost-reimbursement contracts for services would be extended from the current 14 days to 30 days. The change could affect contractor cash flow by $1.6 billion annually, causing an annual increase of $114 million in contractor interest expense. In addition, AIA points out that costly modifications to DoD payment systems would have to be made to assure 1) that interim payments on new services contracts with large businesses would be paid within 30 days and small businesses within 14 days and 2) invoices on existing services contracts continue to be paid within 14 days. According to DoD, the change would result in better management of payments and is consistent with the policies of most other government agencies, including those also subject to the government's Prompt Payment Act. The association's Economic Advisory Committee has objected to the proposed rule, citing the financial inequities to contractors and the cost and logistical challenges that DoD would face in implementing the rule. AIA Source: dick.powers@aia-aerospace.org AIA Supports Unmanned Aircraft Growth AIA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Subcommittee is supporting FAA in the development and integration of a roadmap to introduce unmanned aircraft into the national airspace system, including the planned Next Generation Air Transportation System. The association's focus on flight safety and security will be bolstered by collaborating with the FAA during this process. The UAS subcommittee is advocating for:
In addition to their use for national and homeland security, UAS have the capability to fly into weather systems too hazardous for manned aircraft and perform law enforcement surveillance and other public service missions. AIA Source: ranee.carr@aia-aerospace.org Berger Joins AIA Legislative Affairs Staff Michael Berger, most recently a legislative analyst for AIA member company BAE Systems, is now manager of legislative affairs at the association. Berger also previously served as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee staff. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science and English from the University of Michigan and is pursuing a master's degree with a concentration in international affairs at Georgetown University. Berger can be reached at michael.berger@aia-aerospace.org. An AIA Perspective: Sound Environmental Policy Is a Matter of Consistency, Not Politics By Howard Aylesworth, AIA Director of Civil Aviation Environment This is the fourth in a five-part series examining issues that affect the air in which we travel: increased fuel efficiency, alternative fuels, emerging technologies, and advances in research and development. The series results from AIA's commitment to environmental excellence in collaboration with airlines, airports, air traffic system providers, manufacturers, and government agencies worldwide. Climate change is the issue du jour, but does it make sense to reduce carbon dioxide emissions at the expense of other environmental considerations? The Airports Council International points out that noise is the biggest obstacle to reducing congestion, not climate change. Local air quality is second on the Council's list, yet noise reduction might come at the expense of increased carbon dioxide or other emissions that affect local air quality. The laws of physics dictate that although noise and some emissions can be reduced significantly in the design of engines and airframes, not all can be minimized simultaneously. Environmental design must be carefully balanced with safety and economic requirements and operational needs. Reducing airport congestion and air traffic delays will reduce aviation carbon dioxide emissions substantially. For example, the Los Angeles International Airport has recently been reconfigured and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport has added a new runway to improve ground operations. Although market forces are sufficient to ensure significant carbon dioxide reductions, AIA endorses the development of international certification standards for aircraft noise and nitrogen oxides. International Civil Aviation Organization standards and recommended practices are consensus documents for global, regional, national, and local actions. Solutions to achieving noise and local air quality objectives must also include better land use management, enhanced operational procedures, and the application of technologically advanced new aircraft designs to existing fleets. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report in 2000 on aviation and the environment found, for example, that aircraft noise footprints near many major U.S. airports had been significantly reduced even while the number of flight operations had grown substantially. Improvement resulted in large part from newer aircraft and engines along with other measures such as land-use restrictions in areas near airports deemed to have unacceptable noise. Today, however, development is once again encroaching on those use-restricted, protected areas at alarming levels and to no one's benefit. The GAO report cautioned that as the number of aircraft operations increases even more to meet future air travel demand, areas impacted by noise could expand again, posing new challenges for airports in their relations with surrounding communities. U.S. airlines have invested more than $100 billion to reduce community noise through fleet improvement over the last 15 years. Aircraft, however, are only one of many factors to be considered in creating sound environmental policy. Others must now step up and accept their responsibility:
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