Today in a speech at the Aviation in the 21st Century:  Beyond Open Skies conference in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater will release the first-ever National R&D Plan on Aviation Safety, Security, Efficiency, and Environmental Compatibility. FAA Administrator Jane F. Garvey, NASA Administrator Dan Goldin, and DOD's Director of Defense Research and Engineering, Hans Mark joined the Secretary in making the announcement.

Developed by the President's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Committee on Technology, in conjunction with the FAA, NASA, and DOD, and supported by industry, the Plan will serve as the blueprint for Federal research investments in attaining critical aviation and air transportation goals.

"This conference is the perfect venue for releasing this landmark aviation R&D plan," said Secretary Slater.  "At this forum, the United States and its worldwide aviation partners will discuss a common vision of aviation in the 21st century that will benefit economies, enhance safety and security, and improve the quality of service for passengers and shippers across the world.  R&D has helped the United States and the world realize the benefits of aviation for stimulating global commerce and tourism.  This plan will play a major role ensuring that we will continue to enjoy the benefits of aviation into the next millennium."

 Participants at the three-day conference will discuss the enormous advances that have taken place in aviation over the 55 years since the historic "Convention on International Civil Aviation" took place in Chicago in 1944.  Out of that convention came recommended practices and procedures that have guided world aviation to this day.  Following in that tradition, the new national aviation plan, builds on President Clinton's and Vice President Gore's long-time commitment to ensure a strong, competitive global aviation system.

This groundbreaking plan provides a framework for bringing the Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration), National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Department of Defense together with the aviation industry to meet the aviation challenges of the future, ensuring that the United States does not have to compromise between economic growth and the welfare of the traveling public.  The plan outlines cooperative government research and operational solutions in safety, security, efficiency, and environmental compatibility -- four key areas that otherwise would limit the nation's ability to meet the growing demand for air transportation.

 "Aviation has become central to the way we do business, linking people from coast to coast and connecting America to the world.  The Federal government has an important leadership role in shaping the future of global aviation, ensuring the continued safe, secure, efficient and environmentally acceptable operation of the Nation's aviation system, and providing leadership and investment in areas critical to the public good.  Our response to these challenges will have a profound impact on our national air transportation system, our national security, our environment and our economy in the 21st century," said Dr. Neal Lane, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology.

"This plan signifies the achievement of a broad consensus on national aviation goals and provides the foundation for developing an even stronger government/industry partnership in the future," said FAA Administrator Jane F. Garvey.  "Only by working in partnership can we define a vision of the future that integrates achievements in safety, security, efficiency, and

Copies of the Plan are available through the NSTC Secretariat at 202-456-6100, or on the National Transportation Science and Technology Homepage at http://scitech.dot.gov.  The contact at the Department of Transportation is Kara Gerhardt, (202) 366-5565.

Office of Science and Technology Policy
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W
Washington, DC 20502
202.395.7347
Information@ostp.eop.gov

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