AIAA ADS TC Meeting Minutes
Minutes of a Meeting of the AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator
Systems Technical
Committee
The Town and Country Resort
San Diego, California
January 29, 2001
General
A meeting of the AIAA ADS TC was convened at 8:30 on January 29, 2001 in
conjunction with the Parachute Industry Association (PIA) Symposium. Those in
attendance are listed below. Richard Benney chaired the meeting. Debbie Gardinier
was appointed secretary Pro-tem.
The following business topics were discussed:
1. Review of the minutes.
- After the introduction of members, the meeting minutes from the August 17, 2000
TC meeting were reviewed and accepted. The committee was asked to review the
master roster list for correctness. Deadline for submittal to the AIAA was
1/30/01.
- The committee reviewed the rotation list and took people off for 2001 that had not
made any recent meetings or requested to be taken off. Bill Gargano, Bill
Garrard, Troy Looney, Andrew Mawn and Walt Wolf were rotated off. Maurice
Gionfriddo asked to remain on the committee. Rob Meyerson asked to stay on for
one additional year as well. New members for the committee were Roy Haggard,
Mark Heflin and Koki Machin.
- Carl Peterson rejoined but because Sandia is not continuing parachute work feels
that he (and potentially other long time contributors to the ADS TC) should be
made an honorary member so as not to be counted against the ADS TC member
quota. He feels that committee members should be with companies who have
parachute interest. He likes the honorary concept and would be uncomfortable as
a official TC member. Rich noted it's not an issue at this time as we are not over
the 35 limit. Honoraries will be kept informed via email and newsletters just as
the rest of the committee is.
- Possible additional members include Ken Sego and Jim Warrick. Final count of
TC members shows that the ADS will make the TC quota.
- Rich passed out nomination sheets to those interested. Rich noted that the ADS
can go over the TC committee limit if necessary by using the honorary member
status.
2. Treasurer's Report:
- The treasurer's report was reviewed. The account was previously established at
Fleet Bank of Boston with two signature checking required. Fleet split off and the
account was switched to Sovereign Bank. Originally, Rich and Sanjay Patel were
co-signers but with the departure Sanjay a new co-signer is needed.
- There is still about $1,000 to $2,000 dollars open from the Toulouse conference.
- Scott Dellicker was paid for the mass mailings of conference packets from the
account. The balance in the account is currently at $14,592.23, which is slightly
higher than shown in the report.
- The question arose as to why the account is non-interest bearing. Rich said that
the ADS is non-profit and it gets complicated with respect to taxes if it were
interest bearing. In the past it hasn't been an issue since there hasn't been much
money in the account.
- There was no request for checks at this meeting. Rich noted that the TC meeting
room was free, however will have to pay with TC money for the morning
refreshments.
3. Organizational Chart:
- The ADS organization chart was reviewed. There were 12 people currently
'teamless'. The TC will assign/volunteer people later in the meeting.
4. Homepage Team:
- The link to register for the conference was not currently up but should be in 2-3
weeks time.
- Rich went over some notes from Mike Accorsi regarding the website. The
address is: www.engr.uconn.edu/~adstc
- The website will contain a complete overview, who the speakers are, Boston
attractions and links to the Park Plaza hotel where the conference is being held.
- Any additional suggestions regarding the information are welcome.
- The website also contains name, address, biography, photograph and links to
pertinent websites for all members.
- Mike asked for updated biographies from TC members. Need biographies from
new members: Mark Heflin, Ken Sego, & Carl Peterson.
- Rich noted that Mike also maintains the email distribution list. Rich requested that
TC members forward email to people that would be interested.
- Scott Dellicker mentioned that the 'snail' mail addresses need to be updated also.
Updates needed to be received by Christine Hailey within the next two weeks.
- The special additions of the Toulouse papers will be in the March or April AIAA
Journals. Five papers were chosen. All papers required re-writes.
- Mo Gionfriddo mentioned that the website is very helpful in finding papers. It is
very important to get all papers in the bound proceedings. Jean Potvin was under
the impression that all papers were in the CD version. It was suggested that the
session chairs make sure the walk-in papers get collected and put into the Linda
Hall Library at the very least.
5. Database Team:
- Mo Gionfriddo presented the status of the document database efforts. Karl
Doherr has submitted many, many reports to the Linda Hall Library.
- Natick is still working the issue, a partial shipment will be made.
- Mo was concerned, since Walt Wolfe is leaving, what will happen to the Sandia
reports. Carl Peterson said many reports were old and have 'limited
distribution'. It will take someone an incredible amount of time and red tape to
change the distribution and ship to the Linda Hall Library. The reports are not
classified. No one will step up and take on the large amount of bureaucracy in
order to get someone to change the classification of these documents.
- Tony Taylor suggested that this topic be discussed at CVD with hopes of getting
the issue resolved.
- The Freedom of information act was also mentioned as a way to get this resolved
or having DTIC do the work.
- Carl Peterson said that he does have a list of all the authors and reports. 70% are
limited distribution at Wright Patterson. Mo had made continued requests to
have the TC's submit company reports to the Linda Hall library. Rich suggested
having the companies provide an estimate of the amount of reports that are
viable.
- It was also suggested to have a TC meeting at the Linda Hall Library. Has been
previously done and they would do it for free.
6. PIA:
- Mo passed out PIA applications. He would like to get more engineers in the PIA
rather than the current production types from companies. He also went over some
of the presentations for the coming week at the conference.
- The PIA is very interested in CVD day. Mo will be attending for sure. He said
that the congressional staffers have asked the reps what they can do and the
industry representatives don't have a good answer. This topic was tables until
later in the meeting.
- The PIA has taken over the MIL specs by basically changing the MIL initials at
the start of any spec to PIA. Rev. A is for fixing typos, etc. While Rev. B is new
info. Specs are $25 each. Mo informed the TC's that the HIS has taken over the
effort and that the PIA gets a small percentage of the profits.
7. Newsletter:
- The team is attempting to publish the next newsletter to coincide with the May
2001 conference.
- Christine Hailey has received two articles since last August.
- There was nothing new to report since the last TC meeting.
8. Specs and Standards:
- The Specs and Standards team needs a leader.
- The Parachute Drawing standard is near completed and should be published in a
couple months. (Army Adoption of ANSI/AIAA S-017A-2000)
- Rich Benney passed around the current draft. The Army officially adopted it in
1991. Rich asked if the PIA was going to adopt it.
- The Army (Natick) is reviewing current draft for potential continued adoption.
9. Short Course:
- Jean Potvin is the current team leader and stated that the tentative date is between
May 5 and June 5 of 2002. His goal is not to change too much.
- He wants to let the same people do the course as previously. Bill Girard, Steve
Lingard, and Carl Doherr have all confirmed that they will do the course. Vance
Behr is a conditional 'yes'.
- Jean noted that location was the big issue. The 'faculty' proposed that the course
be held at Yuma. The negative side of this is the weather and it's harder to get to.
The positive side is the great facilities to give hands experience and test demos.
The classrooms could be either a hotel conference room or some Yuma rooms.
- The alternate location is St. Louis University. They've got 'smart' classrooms,
windtunnels and the weather is better at that time of the year. Jean suggested that
test demos could be set up by using the Air National Guard rigging facility.
Equipment could also be borrowed from the Army perhaps.
- Since the faculty was mixed on the Yuma sight, Jean wanted the TC to decide.
- Rich suggested posting a survey for international interest on the short course and
also announcing it.
- Course Limit is 40 to 50.
- It was noted that perhaps the flair of the course is changing to more hands on and
having the availability of computers.
- It was decided to forego the decision on the location until after the survey.
- Jean asked for any ideas or suggestions to be given to him. He would like to nail
down the location sight within 30 days.
10. Congressional Visit Days:
- There are a total of 66 technical committees of which the ADS is one. Mo
mentioned that he planned on going to CVD. Natick may send someone as well.
Steve Hintzke and Phil Delurgio are going as well.
- It's a fine line that the representative must follow. TC members must represent
AIAA first and present the general message first. Can also act as a citizen as well
to voice concerns.
- Representatives can request a meeting with a specific congressional representative
or just 'knock of the door'.
- The TC read and reviewed the message written for the CVD. No updates were
received throughout the year.
- The event will be held March 22. The early bird cutoff day was 2/19/01 with the
final date set at March 3rd.
- Issues: Glen Brown brought up the controversial Barry Amendment that prevents
the use of imported fibers and fiber products in US Government bought
parachutes, clothing and tenting. Dupont put this into effect. It causes a problem
as many of the new fibers are not in the US (examples include Zylon & Vectron).
The parachute industry can get away with using these fibers for prototypes, as
there is some monetary limit. However for production units it's a major problem.
- Mark Heflin brought up ISO implications and how hard it will be to maintain the
dual standard. Glen suggested that it be handled as overall foreign trade – not just
textiles. It was mentioned that it would be easier to change the amendment rather
than overturning it.
- It was proposed to add a bullet to the CVD info sheet to recommend that the
Barry Amendment be modified. It was also noted that a white paper would most
likely need to be written.
- Action Item: Mo to distribute the website for the Barry Amendment so the TC
can review it.
- Action Item: CVD attendees to read the amendment and be knowledgeable
before the visit. It's hopeful that CVD will result in one congressman carrying
the ball on modifying this Amendment.
- Roy Haggard suggested that a change waiver process was used. Glen was
assigned the action to make the bullet for the CVD informational sheet.
- CVD Bullet: Glen suggested adding the bullet to AIAA production concerns.
"Barry Amendment limits the use of new technology aramid materials. What can
Congress do
- Support modification of the Barry amendment to allow the use of
foreign materials where the U.S. made equivalent does not exist."
- Alec Dyatt suggested that the bullet stay on technology ramifications rather than
export/import issues. Carl Peterson made the point that the current info sheet
needs to be less detailed with greater emphasis on concerns. It currently reads
like we don't need anything. We cannot obtain certain things without more
Research and Development. It's not like it used to be. Current designs are based
on perturbations of old technology. We need new technology. We are an
"Industry in Crisis". The core capabilities of the industry are at risk.
- Glen suggested that we focus on policy rather than dollars. Mark Heflin added
that a larger proportion of allocated funds must go to R&D.
- The ADS is affected and hurt by the 'trickle down' effect. We are the last to
know and receive money – an afterthought.
- Rich Benney asked for volunteers to rewrite/rework the brochure. A subgroup
was chosen consisting of: Mark Heflin, Carl Peterson, Tony Taylor, and Glen
Brown. Rich will send an email to request modification to text and pictures to
support.
11. ADS Seminar:
- The TC reviewed Rob Meyerson's charts (Rob was unable to attend).
- Rob had question from the last TC meeting: How does the TC pay government
employees for speaking
- Ian Whalley volunteered to provide Rich with the email
address of someone who may be able to help with this situation
- Scott Dellicker asked how the TC can advertise the short course properly. It was
suggested to target all AIAA TC chairs with info on the seminar as well as
possibly write a short article in test magazines. This is an easy way to get
advertising and be published.
12. Conference:
- Scott Dellicker reported that the deadline for submittal of abstracts was extended
to October 1, 2000. He received 71 paper abstracts. All the section chairs were
picked.
- Papers are due March 9th, 2001.
- Mike Accorsi will send emails out to section chairs to remind people to meet the
paper submittal deadline. Mo mentioned that is seemed like all the papers were
accepted. He wonders why he 'wasted' his reviewing time if none were rejected.
Jean Potvin said that some papers were combined and Scott said some were asked
for rewrites.
- Flaws of the electronic papers submission were discussed. Submittal was
cumbersome in some cases while reviewing was not too bad. The ADS was a test
case.
- Next major milestone: Get papers and complete final program by April 9th, 2001
for submittal to AIAA.
- Final conference cost: Registration before April 23rd is $530 + $245 for the
seminar. Rooms are $162/night. This includes the awards banquet, session chair
& speakers breakfast, bound volumes and some spouse events as well.
- Conference Schedule: Monday: Seminar, Tues through Thursday: Conference.
TC meeting will be held the Sunday, May 20th before the conference.
- Tuesday night: Industry reception. Need location sponsors.
- Weds. Night: Awards banquet at Hotel.
- Decided to set up a conference call the 2nd week of every month. TC's will
receive an email with information.
- Tim Lott working with the hotel for the banquet setup. Looking into various
concepts for the Industry Reception. Options included, Kennedy Library (already
booked), a harbor cruise on the "Odyssey" – nice but expensive at $50/person.
Other options included the State House (under construction), the New England
Aquarium, the USS Constitution and the Museum of Fine Arts. The Harbor
cruise was the best received, but the cost was too much to really be viable.
- Rich inquired if people would be ok with partially supplementing the industry
assist dinner (normally free). The last conference (Toulouse) was sponsored by
the city of Toulouse and the AAAF. Up until then, Industry was the only sponsor.
- Action Item: Industry individual go back to companies and ask for donations.
Need to let Tim know as soon as possible. Commitment was needed by February
15th. Sponsors will be given space to put up posters.
14. Finances:
- The TC briefly discussed the Knacke scholarship. Suggestions included a design
contest. Rules would have to be established and agreed upon in order to award
the money to the winner. A ¾ majority vote was suggested. No one on the TC
was sure how the other TC's do it. Jean Potvin suggested that a vote wasn't
required if the award was less than $1000. There was concern on what to do and
how to the handle the money. It was proposed that if 50% of the TC members (at
meeting or email) voted then it would be a valid vote.
- Action Item: The finance team needs to draft a charter for how to handle the
finances with regards to voting. It was proposed that if the cost/award was
<$1000 1 person could approve, <%5000 2 people would be required.
- This year's Theo Knacke award winner is Phil Delurgio.
- It was suggested to do a brief memorial at the awards banquet for Theo, prior to
the award, as he passed away recently.
15. Miscellaneous:
- Volunteers were asked for CY01 Year in Review Articles. The article is currently
2 pages long. No one volunteered. Chairman Pro-tem, Glen Brown, will need to
get any suggestions by September for submittal.
- Next TC meeting will be in the Boston area on Sunday night, 5/20 right before the
conference.
- Rich showed his first cut of a charter. He mentioned that having a charter is a key
part to getting funding from AIAA (i.e. attention).
- Action Item: Team leaders review (Rich will email) with each team's
responsibility. Comments and updates to be sent back prior to (or on) the May
20th TC meeting in Boston.
- Carl Peterson asked for a technical write-up for JPAS for a review article on High
Performance Parachute, 25-50 pages long. There is no deadline. Carl suggested
writing about gliding parachutes. Jean Potvin volunteered.
16. Topics from San Antonio Conference:
- Major topic was the question whether the ADS TC had any interest in the
National Parachute Technology Council (NPTC). Carl Peterson went over the
history of NPTC. It started in the early 80's by Mo and Carl. They ran it for 8-9
years. It is now defunct. Carl would like someone to take it over. He suggested
that it be the government. Natick said "no". Carl suggested that maybe the TC
take it over. If no one was interested he said it should just be dropped.
- Question: Does the ADS TC want to take on some of the NPTC mission
- The
ADS mission was/is dealing with technical advances. The NPTC deals with
program issues and was a liaison between the government and industry. There
needs to be some basic research for future needs in order to get end item
capability for the government. Glen Brown suggested that since Natick funding
was up, the community could submit white papers on technology needs.
Seungeuk Han suggested that the function of the NPTC be taken over by the TC
or sponsored by the AIAA.
- Mark Heflin suggested that if Carl and Mo couldn't do it, perhaps it's too big for
the TC. He noted that the CVD is a step in the right direction.
- Rich closed with stating he was willing to host a complete overview of the current
status.
AIAA ADS TC Meeting
Attendees, January 29, 2001
Scott Dellicker
520.328.6150
Scott.Dellicker@yuma-exch1.army.mil
Tim Lott
978.657.2350
Tlott@systems.textron.com
Alec Dyatt
661.277.0800 x2855
Alec.dyatt@edwards.af.mil
Seungeuk Han
973.724.2978/7865
Shan@pica.army.mil
Tony Taylor
714.662.1400 ext. 119
Tony@ca.irvingrp.com
Mo Gionfriddo
508.366.1042
Mgion@pia.com
Mark Heflin
520.328.6814
MarkHeflin@yuma-exch1.army.mil
Roy A. Haggard
909.674.0604
Rhaggard@vertigo-inc.com
Glen Brown
831.425.5147
Gbrown@vertigo-inc.com
JC Berlind
856.663.1275
JC@paraflite.com
Debbie Gardinier
714.662.1400 x146
Debbie@Ca.irvingrp.co
Richard Benney
508.233.5835
Richard.benney@natick.army.mil
Jean Potvin
314.977-8424
PotvinJ@SLU.edu
Rich Almassy
562.496.8538
Richard.Almassy @Boeing.com
Carl Peterson
505.844.6775
CWPeter@sandia.gov
Jose A. Miletti
508.233.4282
jose.miletti@natick.army.mil
Ian Whalley
760.345.7075
Whalleyian@hotmail.com
Ed Doucette
508.233.4636
Edward.doucette@natick.army.mil
Ken Sego
714.825.1743
Kens@fxcguardian.com
Morgan Brookfield
817.236.4491
Brook@brookfieldstore.com
Jim Warrick
520.541.1950
Jwarrick@cableone.net