TOPIC 05 General Aviation Revitalization

Numerous factors combine to create opportunities for revitalization of the U.S. general aviation industry and the role of a small aircraft transportation system for business and personal travel in the 21st century. These include rapid growth in air travel (increasing pressure on National Airspace System (NAS) capacity and safety and for affordable NAS operations for the government and users), declining numbers of communities served by scheduled air carriers, increasingly stringent international environmental standards, an aging fleet of small aircraft, and aggressive foreign competition. NASA seeks innovative technologies supporting advances in flight systems, airspace and ground systems infrastructure, integrated design and manufacturing and aircraft configuration design concepts as well as general aviation propulsion technologies.

05.01 General Aviation Transportation System Technologies

Lead Center: LaRC

NASA seeks innovative technologies to support advances for small aircraft transportation systems that substantially increase the demand for retrofit of existing aircraft, new aircraft and airport and airspace utilization. Of specific interest are advanced, affordable, certifiable technologies for human-factors engineered display of flight information for total situational awareness, and simplified integration of flight controls with displays, and propulsion systems. In addition, improvements are desired in cost-effective, user-friendly improvements in weather, traffic, and NAS facilities’ information services. NASA also seeks innovations in manufacturing methods and materials.

Specifically, proposals are sought for the following areas:

• Advanced concepts for roadable aircraft are desired. This category must include a sound business plan for production with a technical plan providing for compatibility with the emerging National Airspace System architecture and a certification plan to meet at least one of the following applicable FARs: Part 103 (Ultra-lite vehicle), Part 21.24 (Primary Category Aircraft), Part 23 (Certified Aircraft) or Part 27 (Rotorcraft), or Part 21.191 Advisory Circular AC No: 20-27 series (Experimental Homebuilt Aircraft).

• Information Systems and Pilot VehicleInterface
  Cost-effective advances in emerging navigation displays, graphical depiction methods, intuitive cockpit display systems, flight controls, voice interface, communications and human factors engineering technologies to aid pilot decision making and to reduce cockpit workload.
• Certifiable COTS for System Hardware and Software
  Affordable cockpit systems including sensors, attitude-heading reference systems, terrain and obstacle avoidance systems, and applications for standardized databus system architectures such as firmware, software, design and maintenance tools, and flight information and management products for airplane systems status and flight planning.

All proposals should include supportability plans (support infrastructure, maintenance requirements, operations, and training), certification plans (cite Specific FAR’s), compatibility with current and future airspace architecture, and a clear path to commercialization.

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05.02 Light Aircraft Engine Design, Systems, and Components

Lead Center: LeRC

NASA seeks proposals that offer dramatic improvements in acquisition and life cycle costs, performance, safety and reliability; environmental compatibility (noise, emissions and fuel), ease of operation and passenger comfort through innovative propulsion concepts and/or integration of innovative propulsion technologies. Emphasis is placed on cost reduction, ease of operation and comfort. Anticipated benefits must be defined using appropriate theoretical and experimental data. Concepts with a clear path to commercialization are highly preferred. Offerors should address commercialization plans and FAA certification issues. Proposals are sought in the following areas:

Propulsion System and Component Technologies

NASA seeks engine concepts (piston, turbine, unconventional) and engine component technologies for light aircraft that will result in substantial improvements over current piston engines. Any improvements in areas such as performance, safety, and environmental compatibility must be accomplished with affordability as a prime consideration. The offeror must demonstrate acquisition and life cycle costs that are at least comparable to current propulsion system costs. Substantially reduced costs, at least 50% less than current systems, are highly preferred.

Engine Control and Health Monitoring Technology

NASA seeks proposals for low-cost electronic engine control and health monitoring systems which substantially reduce pilot workload, fuel consumption, and engine emissions, and increase time between overhaul (TBO) and safety. Engine diagnostics should focus on pilot notification of engine status and operability, post-flight diagnostic methods, trend analysis and maintenance aides. Much of this technology already exists, but it is too costly and/or too costly to certify for light aircraft. In some cases, cost reductions by orders of magnitude must be achieved. Development of methods for using commercially available high volume hardware and achieving low-cost software production and validation is encouraged. Paths to FAA certification must be described.