On Wednesday, March 17Th, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Held

On Wednesday, March 17th, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) held its Annual Congressional Visits Day (CVD) on Capital Hill in Washington, DC.

CVD is an annual event that brings scientists, engineers, researchers, educators, and technology executives to Washington to raise visibility and support for science, engineering, and technology in the aerospace industry. The objective of CVD is to raise awareness of the long-term importance of science, engineering and technology to the Nation through face-to-face meetings with Members of Congress, congressional staff, key Administration officials and other decision-makers.

This year Georgia’s delegation team was comprised of Wallace Isom and Robby Cowart from Gulfstream, and Bob Greene from Stone Mountain Georgia, a business man who owns a hydraulics design/retrofit business. The Georgia Delegation met with staffers for Lynn Westmoreland, Nathan Deal, John Linder, Jack Kingston, Richard Burr (from North Carolina), Saxby Chambliss, Sanford Bishop Jr., Paul Broun, Johnny Isakson, and John Barrow who we actually got a chance to sit down and speak with.

The topics addressed were Alternative Fuels- developing a national strategy, Business and General Aviation (GA)- getting Congress to support GA and recognize the contributions to the U.S. economy and technology, ITAR- the impact of export controls on the aerospace industry, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)- increasing funding for education, and Human Space Flight- Apply multi-year authorizations that facilitate sustained programmatic guidance for human spaceflight progress. Most of the discussion time was spent on Alternate Fuels, STEM education, Business and General Aviation, and Export controls since those were the most pertinent to senator’s and representative’s constituents and the industry as a whole.

John Barrow’s Staffer, Brandon Webb, pointed out that Representative Barrow has been working with others regarding biomass for alternative fuels and is well aware of the importance of finding a sustainable alternative fuel. Mr. Webb also added that Representative Barrow is a supporter of Gulfstream and advocates for the General Aviation businesses in order to help accelerate its production recovery. Regarding Export Control, Mr. Webb wanted to know how Representative Barrow could help, as well as Lynn Westmoreland’s staffer, Whitney Scherck, who asked for recommendations. We provided both Staffers with recommendations such as streamlining the TAA approval process and updating the ITAR component’s list to name a few. As we were discussing the STEM concerns Representative Barrow joined us and we were able to summarize the previous discussions he had missed. He reaffirmed what Mr. Webb mentioned earlier regarding his support for Alternative Fuels and the General Aviation industry.

Most all of the staffers seemed to be aware of the FAA Reauthorization Bill (H.R. 915). Congressman Nathan Deal’s Staffer, Blake Fulenwider, was especially interested in the bill since he is a private pilot. We were told that the bill could be going before the Senate for votes as early as the week of March 22nd. If passed, the bill will provide the resources and policies necessary to move ahead on air traffic modernization. This will greatly help aid in the recovery of the General Aviation Businesses. All of the staffers were concerned with the STEM education issue, being that foreign countries are graduating more engineers than the U.S. However, Paul Broun’s Staffer, Matthew Waldroup, informed us that Representative Broun didn’t feel this was a legislative issue. Instead Representative Broun suggests that we, the people in the industry, speak to our Board of Education in and around our surrounding counties, regarding these issues as well as volunteer in the schools.

Although not a Georgia Congressman, we were able to visit with North Carolina Senator Richard Burr’s Staffer, Kara Weishaar. Ms. Weishaar informed us that Congressman Burr would soon be joining the Senate General Aviation Caucus. Ms. Weishaar was interested and familiar with the Alternative Fuel issue. We shared with her the concerns as well as provided a few recommendations surrounding Alternative Fuel for aviation, Export Control, and Human Space Flight.

Human Space Flight was discussed with most all the staffers. They understand how important it is for the U.S. to continue leading the human spaceflight endeavors. Without it we will miss out on technological advances which have been associated with human space flight in the past. Most staffers also agreed that NASA needs a definitive plan and funding, preferably multi-year authorizations, for research into heavy lift launchers, as well as moon and space exploration. Representative Sanford Bishop’s Staffer, Marwan Terry, asked for recommendations regarding funding for moon exploration. We explained that some of this funding could come from NASA’s budget by letting the commercial industry provide human access to earth orbit.

Our last visit was with Jonny Isakson’s Staffer, Michael Quiello. Mike assured us that Senator Isakson is very passionate about education and the push for STEM in the class room. Mr. Quiello also pointed out that most of our immigrant visas are for families and not enough H1 Visas for workers. This affects our foreign national students who graduate from the U.S. but must return to their home country when they can’t find a job that will sponsor them. Senator Isakson is also an advocate for General Aviation. Both Senator Isakson and Mr. Quiello have toured our Gulfstream facilities here in Savannah and understand the economic impact that General Aviation has on not only the national economy but Georgia’s economy as well.

This was my first year as Public Policy Council and first time participating in the CVD. Although we were only able to sit down with one Representative due to the push to pass the Health Care Bill, overall, I would have to say the CVD was a success. We were able to get our message across as well as provide the staffers with information packets further explaining our initiatives.

I appreciate the support that we have received from Gulfstream in assisting with sending us to DC this year. Hopefully, we will see results from AIAA’s efforts at the federal level along with legislation that benefits Georgia’s aerospace industry. I look forward to participating in the CVD in 2011.