AIAA ADS TC Meeting Minutes

Minutes of a meeting of the AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technical Committee
Hotel Sofitel, Toulouse, France June 7^th and 11^th 1999

Pre Conference Meeting
June 7th 1999

A meeting of the AIAA ADS TC was convened at 0900 in the Hotel Sofitel, Toulouse, France on 7 June 1999. Those in attendance are listed below.

The meeting was chaired by Vance Behr. Tim Lott was appointed as secretary. The following topics were discussed.
1. Scott Dellicker from U.S. Army YPG was recognized as a new TC member.
2. The recent AIAA ADS TC newsletter was introduced. A question was asked regarding whom among the TC had received the newsletter in the mail. Most members responded affirmatively. Several had not received the mailing. Chris Haley was recognized for her extraordinary effort in getting the newsletter published and distributed. The estimated total cost was quoted as $2,000 for 1,000 copies.
3. The Treasurers Report dated 7 June 1999 was given stating the TC's treasury now stands at $14,503. The report was approved as submitted.
4. Standards Committee Report: No Status (Elsa Hennings unable to attend)
5. Richard Benney presented report on the recent AIAA ADS TC Congressional visitation (March 8-9 1999). Meetings were considered very worthwhile. Representatives or staffers spent significant time with TC members. Richard encouraged other TC members to consider participation in the next year.
6. Richard Benney discussed the location and timing for the next Conference as well as the out years of 2003 and 2005. He presented the survey results pertinent to the ADS TC participating with PIA in San Diego in 2001. Three of the 20 respondents were in favor of co-locating with PIA. The majority was not in favor of this endeavor. Rob Myerson's presentation was reviewed and presented in summary form by Richard Benney. This presentation discusses potential co-location partners for the ADS TC Conference including AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics, Guidance & Control and Flight Test TCs as well as SAFE. Each of these TCs shares some level of synergism with the ADS TC. Mr. Andrew Kididis provided a letter to the ADS TC advocating the 2003 conference in Dayton. Other recommendations for 2001 include Boston, Seattle and Montreal (if colocation is agreed upon). A survey will be E-mailed out following the Toulouse Conference to ascertain the preferred location for the 2001 ADS TC Technology conference. Boston and Seattle appear to be strong candidates.
7. Richard Benney submitted a question regarding the ADS TCs desire to take on the stated objectives of the National Parachute Technology Council (NPTC). Although there exists a signed Memorandum Of Understanding with several DOD organizations (others to follow), it's not apparently clear what the ADS TCs advocacy means and how the stated objectives can be effectively addressed. Richard stated that the TC needs to make a decision regarding this issue. No further discussion regarding this issue occurred in this meeting. TC members were asked to review the NPTC information handout and be prepared to discuss at the next TC meeting.
8. Richard Benney presented a letter form Andrew Kididas regarding the Dave Gold Parachute Museum. It was suggested that the Linda Hall Library retain David Gold's literature collection. The TC was encouraged by the attempt to get the Museum open but was not prepared to offer dollars at this time for assistance.
9. Data Base Team: Mo Gionfriddo was unable to attend. He submitted a letter indicating this team could be disestablished since the agreement with Linda Hall is in place. There are noted uncertainties and concerns within the TC regarding the logistics of how and when the known parachute technical materials will make their way to the LHL. Although the agreement is in place, the actual mechanics of insuring the identified technical material are actually delivered to LHL are not identified. This would indicate further effort is required on behalf of the ADS TC to make this happen. The TC suggested maintaining the Data Base Team, for the short term, who's mission will change to one which helps facilitate the transfer of material to the LHL.
10. AIAA has requested award nominations with more advanced notice. Volunteers (preferably at least one prior award recipient) are sought for a proposed "award team" who's mission would include making nominations and generating awards packages.
11. A 15th Seminar and Conference Team agreed to generate a Conference Summary for the 15th ADS TC Conference in Toulouse which will be submitted before 1 September 1999.
12. The next ADS TC meeting will occur in 4 - 5 months (early October). The location is currently TBD and will be choosen based on the TC's voted priority location for the 16th ADS Seminar and Conference location. Exact date and location will be posted on the homepage by early August.
13. Dean Jorgensen provided a Conference Status. Jean Francois was recognized for his extraordinary and outstanding effort in organizing the conference. 64 abstracts were accepted, 4 were dropped leaving 60 papers. The overall plan was for 11 sessions at 6 papers per session. Overall, the planning and meeting logistics were completely in place. The TC received a brief Conference logistics presentation by Dean identifying the rooms and overall Conference logistics and conduct plan.
14. The Meeting adjourned at 1130 AM.

Post Conference Meeting
June 11th 1999

Following completion of the very successful 15th ADS TC Technology Conference a brief summary meeting was conducted. The incumbent TC chairman Mr. Richard Benney chaired the meeting. An attendance roster was not prepared, however, most TC members present during the conference were in attendance. The following items were discussed.
1. Several potential new TC members were introduced. Our TC membership limit was noted to be 36. There is room for growth in that the current roster stands at 28.
2. Richard noted that support would be required in a variety of committees including Short Course, Standards and the next Conference among others.
3. Lessons learned and all other feedback from this conference should be prepared and submitted to Dean Jorgensen. Dean's team will compile for post conference report.
4. Personnel who took photos should try and send the good ones electronically to Richard Benney as well as Dean Jorgensen (preparing conference summary which will be posted on the homepage) .
5. The TC will prepare thank-you letters to all presenters (15th Conference Team).
6. Venue for the next conference was briefly discussed. Seattle and Boston seemed to be top candidates. A TC vote will be conducted by e-mail shortly. Co-location issues will also be voted on. Volunteers for organizing and running the next conference were solicited.
7. NPTC objectives and our active support to this endeavor were mentioned. Further discussion at the next TC meeting.
8. Newsletter articles for Christine Hailey were solicited.
9. Issues regarding the logistics involved with getting data and other files to the Linda Hall Library were mentioned. A hardcopy was mailed to TC members on the process of suppling items to the LHL. Contact the Data Base team for more information on this process.
10. It was noted that all NASA participants to the Conference paid their own way. The TC agreed to prepare a letter to NASA (If NASA participants desire such a letter) advocating that they actively support their engineers and encourage participation in TC activities.
11. Dean Jorgensen reported attendance of the seminar was 59 and the conference 105.
12. Richard Benney solicited an awards team to investigate, identify and nominate future award recipients.
13. Key technologies & innovations from the 15th conference will be summarized for the Aerospace America "Year-in-Review" article. Mr. Richard Benney will write draft article and forward draft to the TC for comments via Email prior to submission to AIAA headquarters.
14. Some Conference authors will be encouraged to submit their papers to the Journal of Aircraft. The session chairmen within the overall context of conference feedback shall make recommendations regarding this issue. Those recommendations are actively solicited and should be identified to Richard Benney and Dean Jorgensen.
15. The meeting adjourned at 4:45 PM.

Attendees (June 7):
Vance Behr (Sandia)
Dean Jorgensen (Pioneer)
Steve Lingard (MBA)
Bill Garrard (University of Minnesota)
Tim Lott (Textron Systems)
Paul Mortaconi (USA Yuma Proving Ground)
Andy Bennett (Lockheed Martin)
Jean Potvin (Saint Louis University)
Glen Brown (Vertigo)
Michael Accorsi (University of Connecticut)
Al Witkowski (Pioneer)
Tony Taylor (Irvin)
Phil Delurgio (Irvin)
Scott Dellicker (USA Yuma Proving Ground)
Richard Benney (USA Natick)