For Release: July 25, 1997

Dwayne Brown
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
Phone: 202-358-1726

Lori Rachul
NASA Lewis Research Center
Phone: 216-433-8806

Keith Henry
NASA Langley Research Center
Phone: 757-864-6120

Fred Brown
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
Phone: 805-258-2663

Michael Mewhinney
NASA Ames Research Center
Phone: 415-604-3937

LANGLEY RELEASE NO. 97-083 (NASA HQ N97-51)

NASA TO SHOWCASE NEW ACTIVITIES AT UPCOMING AIRCRAFT FLY-IN CONVENTION

"Boomers Turn 50" is NASA's theme for this year's Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) fly-in convention in Oshkosh, WI, July 30 - August 5 -- considered one of the world's largest and most significant aviation events. Last year, more than 800,000 people and 11,000 airplanes -- including 2,478 showplanes -- attended the event.

NASA will feature two large exhibit areas that will reflect the growth of the Agency's general aviation and Small Business Innovation Research programs. The NASA theme recognizes both the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force and the 50th anniversary of the breaking of the "sound barrier." One of the many highlights of the event will feature NASA's SR-71 aircraft conducting three fly-overs on Saturday, August 2. Additionally, NASA will conduct four aeronautics-related news events on August 1-2.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1

NASA Aeronautics Vision: 11 a.m. EDT, NASA Forum Tent

NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin will outline objectives to ensure that NASA's work in science and technology sustains U.S. leadership in civil aeronautics and space. Goldin will discuss NASA's vision to revitalize general aviation -- enabling U.S. industry to deliver 10,000 aircraft annually within 10 years and 20,000 aircraft annually within 20 years.

Student Design Competition: 11:50 a.m. EDT, NASA Forum Tent

NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will present the winners of the third annual NASA/FAA National General Aviation Design Competition. The competition allows university engineering students to participate in a major national effort to rebuild the U.S. general aviation sector. Excited students will learn who takes the top prize, and EAA President Tom Poberezny will announce a new EAA-sponsored "design, build and fly" category for 1998. Plaques and prize money will be presented by NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin and Acting FAA Administrator Barry L. Valentine. A "retrofit" award will be presented by Bruce Landsberg of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association's (AOPA) Air Safety Foundation.

Williams V-JET-II Introduction: 2 p.m. EDT, EAA West Ramp

This informal news briefing will introduce an aircraft designed to demonstrate lightweight, quiet and affordable turbofan engine technology for future light aircraft. The Williams International V-JET-II is an outgrowth of the NASA-sponsored General Aviation Propulsion program, aimed at revitalizing general aviation. By agreement, the company will perform engine development work that results in a next-generation demonstrator turbofan that will power the V-JET-II in demonstrations by the year 2000. Participants will be NASA Administrator Goldin and Williams International Chairman Dr. Sam Williams.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2

General Aviation News: Noon EDT, EAA Press Tent

The NASA & FAA General Aviation Research and Development Media Briefing will include information on:

A new FAA-led flight training curricula effort.

Technology breakthroughs in crash survivability and in quiet, efficient propeller design.

The national aviation safety initiative.

An update on the FAA's Flight 2000 "free flight" demonstration.

Participants will include Dr. Robert Whitehead, NASA Associate Administrator for Aeronautics, and Guy Gardner, FAA Associate Admininstor for Regulation and Certification.

To contact NASA public affairs personnel during the Oshkosh event, media representatives should call 414-235-8273/8276.