Jim Cast
Headquarters, Washington, DC               July 28, 1998
(Phone:  202/358-1779)

Les Dorr
FAA Headquarters, Washington, DC
(Phone:  202/267-3461)

NOTE TO EDITORS:  N98-49

NASA TO UPDATE AERONAUTICS PROGRAMS AT FLY-IN CONVENTION

    An update on aeronautics and space technology topics will be 
presented Saturday, Aug. 1, at the annual Experimental Aircraft 
Association (EAA) Fly-In and Convention, recently renamed 
AirVenture, in Oshkosh, WI.  The NASA/FAA Aviation R&D Briefing at 
10 a.m. CDT in the EAA press tent will cover the following 
highlights:

     * Approaching the one-year mark for NASA's new aeronautics 
and space technology goals 

     * First air traffic control tower simulator under 
construction

     * General aviation accomplishments:
         -- New technology-equipped airplanes coming to market.
         -- New materials certification process promising up to
              $1 million savings per airplane. 
         -- First pilot graduating from streamlined training course.
         -- Flight tests proving cockpit technologies.
         -- First statewide digital datalink providing real-time weather.
         -- Reducing the cost of lightning protection.
         -- Propulsion research filling the "GAP."
         -- New piston engine at half the price.
         -- New turbine engine promising high performance at 
competitive price.

     * National Aviation Safety Program first-year accomplishments,
including:
         -- Conducting flight tests to detect clear air turbulence.
         -- Selecting industry teams to develop aviation weather 
              information for cockpit.

     * NASA/FAA/EAA National General Aviation university contests: 
         -- Introduction of Kansas universities "Design-it, Build-it,
              Fly-it" teams. 
         -- Announcement of "Design Competition" winning teams.

     To contact NASA public affairs personnel during the Oshkosh 
event, media representatives should call 920/235-4969.