EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019: Pavilion Exhibitors

The Aero Experience continues our year-round coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019, sponsored by Elite Aviation, with a look at some exhibits located in the large pavilions in the heart of the display area. Most of the exhibitors feature aviation-related products, but there are a number of interesting products, such as toys and art, that also appeal to general audiences. We especially recognize the ladies at Dare to Fly, Highland, IL-based Wicks Aircraft Supply, and Patrick McAlee Airshows-ExtremeFlight sponsors Custom Flight Helmets and Softie Emergency Parachutes. 

 

 

 

NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center Director Visits St. Louis

By Carmelo Turdo

David McBride, Director of NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, visited St. Louis Tuesday to address students at Washington University. The event, sponsored by the university's chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), was held in the Uncas A. Whitaker Hall for Biomedical Engineering. Director McBride gave an overview of the center's current projects, focusing on leading edge research in the fields of supersonic aerodynamics and electric propulsion, and invited students to pursue careers in the aerospace industry.  

The Armstrong Flight Research Center, located adjacent to Edwards AFB in California, conducts advanced aeronautics, atmospheric and geophysical research with currently operational and purpose-built aircraft. The facility, named for astronaut Neil Armstrong, has been in operation under the then NACA since 1946 when the Bell X-1 project was preparing for high-speed research at then Muroc Army Air Base. Since then, a continuous series of research aircraft projects (X-series and others) has advanced the knowledge of the aerospace community and improved everyday life. The Armstrong Flight Research Center uses about $300M of the $21.5B annual NASA budget. 

"We are in the best place in the world to fly," he told the students in the packed lecture hall. The ideal climate and wide expanse of controlled airspace provides opportunities for year-round, overland supersonic research flights. Flying assets are also based around the world to participate in projects requiring different climates or a change in hemispheric location. The center's DC-8 Airborne Science Laboratory and 747SP Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) aircraft rotate their basing to accommodate comparative research plans. Other aircraft are regularly based in locations such as Iceland, Korea and Europe. 

Current unique research programs include the X-57 Maxwell electric propulsion demonstrator and X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) aircraft. These programs examine both ends of the performance envelope - hybrid-electric and electric short-range aircraft to overland supersonic transports. Both will enhance the aerospace industry's ability to provide efficient and economical air transportation with fewer environmental impacts. These multi-year programs will continue and evolve as the aircraft become available for testing.

A recurrent theme throughout the presentation and Q&A session was the need for an expanded aerospace workforce. "The future is bright," McBride told the students. "There is a lot happening in aerospace research." He emphasized that the shortage currently experienced in the skilled aerospace workforce will continue into the foreseeable future, with an expected $25B in future projects. Engineering students were advised to participate in NASA internships and industry co-op programs that offer work experience as a stepping stone to direct employment. 

The Aero Experience thanks the AIAA Washington University in St. Louis Student Section, Director McBride and all those who assisted in producing this program. For more information on the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, click on the link at the beginning of this story.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019: Breakfast With Innovators

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019 provided many opportunities for leading aerospace companies to promote their current products and services to attendees of the nation's largest annual aviation event. As part of The Aero Experience year-round coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019, sponsored by Elite Aviation, we feature the Monday morning Breakfast with Innovators session held at the EAA Aviation Gateway Park Forums tent. The speaker for the event was Dan Schwinn, Founder and CEO of Avidyne, the general aviation avionics company based in Melbourne, FL. Avidyne produces what it calls the "integrated flight deck" using flat-screen presentations of flight and navigation instruments along with communications and ADS-B in and out capability. WiFi, Bluetooth and iPad compatibility is also designed into the digital cockpit suite of products.

As seen above, the attendees gathered in the EAA Aviation Gateway Park Forums tent prior to the 7:30 A.M. start time to partake of the breakfast buffet. Dick Knapinski, EAA Director of Communications, introduced Dan Schwinn.

"Leading the way in world-class avionics and systems design is Avidyne," Knapinski said in his introductory remarks. "It was founded by Dan Schwinn in 1994, and was created with the mission of modernizing general aviation avionics by applying advanced technologies in order to improve safety and increase aircraft utility. So to tell us a little a little bit more about what's going on, not only at Avidyne, but to share his perspective on the state of aviation innovation, is Dan Schwinn, President, CEO and Founder of Avidyne"   

Schwinn began his presentation by illustrating the aircraft cockpit display units, digital flight controls and communication/navigation equipment currently offered by Avidyne. He emphasized the range of ADS-B and interfacing products available, especially in light of the year-end deadline for installing ADS-B equipment in most general aviation aircraft. The natural evolution of the advances in digital electronics is leading to their application in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), artificial intelligence (AI) or a combination of the two in one system. Here is where the future is being developed today.

After asking how many in the room were pilots, and seeing a majority of the audience raise their hands, he posed this question: "How many of you like it when somebody says, 'I could make some electronics that can outperform a pilot in every single respect?' It's like, OK?!" He continued in this line of conversation by mentioning his discovery of Daedalean, a Swiss-based company developing AI for autonomous flight aircraft. Schwinn sees the development of this technology as a next step for Avidyne product integration, though not to full autonomy in one stroke.

"There are two major things not related to the vehicle's specifics that have to come into place," Schwinn continued. "One is autonomy and AI, and the other is absolutely full-time, mission-critical data communications between the aircraft and the ground all the time." The vehicle design is of course also critical, with new materials and propulsion systems under development along with the flight control technology. In the not too distant future, both the vehicle and autonomous flight control systems will have to merge into a successful design and be integrated into the airspace system occupied by conventional aircraft. Avidyne is taking steps to be part of that development process.  

Programs like this were presented daily throughout EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019 at various locations throughout the grounds. The Aero Experience will regularly report on other special events from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019 in the coming months.  

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019: EAA Innovation Center and NASA Exhibit

The Aero Experience continues our year-round coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019, sponsored by Elite Aviation, with a look at the Aviation Gateway Park, Innovation Center and NASA Exhibit. This area of the grounds features exhibitors displaying their leading-edge technology products, the NASA exhibit, a forum meeting tent and additional space for colleges and airlines to meet with young adults and students. The emphasis this year was on drones and electric aircraft technology. Pictured are astronauts Doug Wheelock and Charles Precourt from Thursday's visit.