Forum Planning Continues. Planning continues for both the 2021 AIAA AVIATION Forum and the 2021 AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum. Follow the program announcements online. One full paid registration gives you access to both forums! Register now.
Sharing AIAA Viewpoints. Recently, I shared an editorial through Aviation Week and Space Technology entitled “Congress Should Consider Aerospace As Infrastructure.” On behalf of AIAA members, I encouraged lawmakers to recognize that aerospace means infrastructure, innovation, and jobs. We believe the sector should be an integral part of the legislation that President Biden and the 117th Congress are working on to ensure that the second 100 years of aerospace is as innovative and impactful as the first 100 years. We remain optimistic as they move forward with a bipartisan infrastructure package. We will closely monitor developments as the legislation progresses through the legislative process.
Look for the July/August issue of Aerospace America in your email or mailbox soon. In it, I write about how AIAA is committed to solving the problems, developing new ideas, and applying technology in creative ways to shape the future of aerospace and build a better future for everyone – especially right now. In the history of flight, never has there been this much new, creative, and innovative activity across aerospace. With so much activity, I asked where AIAA should place its emphasis.
As we shared last month, the Institute is beginning to answer that question by introducing the domain structure. Our domain strategy is focused on Aeronautics, R&D, and Space, where we will address key needs and priorities to make progress at the pace required to accelerate innovation. Stay tuned for more in the coming months on how the Institute will support the three domains by visibly addressing the problems and tackling the hurdles of today while building the future aerospace systems for society.
Keep Encouraging Our Students. This month I had the chance to talk about shaping the future of the aerospace workforce with student interns, hosted by the Colorado Space Business Roundtable (CSBR) and the AIAA Rocky Mountain Section. Several AIAA members joined me and shared their career journeys and stories about their dreams. We pointed to how important passion is to success and happiness in life and work. The AIAA Foundation helps the Institute ensure that passion is built in to all our education programs – as a key ingredient to supporting a student’s STEM education and career goals.
Recognizing Diversity During Pride Month. Our Diversity Working Group continues to help ensure that we encourage participation and collaboration across all genders, ethnicities, and races, and to enhance our representation of the entire industry. During June we are honoring the history and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community in aerospace. Check out Engage and the AIAA social media channels this week to meet Lt. Col. Bree Fram – an active duty astronautical engineer in the U.S. Space Force, and an AIAA member supporting our Diversity Working Group. Lt. Col. Fram is an accomplished professional and an advocate for transgender military service members. She is currently the highest ranking out transgender officer in the DoD. We are grateful for Lt. Col. Fram’s contributions to our community and celebrate her achievements in the aerospace industry.
As we approach another holiday weekend in the United States, I hope you and your family and friends enjoy a safe and happy Independence Day.
Sincerely,
Dan Dumbacher
Executive Director, AIAA
