**FAA's Pete McHugh Share's his Iraq Experience**

By Janet Kinsell

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

Technical Center Director, Dr. Wilson Felder, presents Pete McHugh with
the Department of Transportation's War On Terrorism Medal

**Pete McHugh** was introduced by **Fred Snyder** as a humble man, with
40 years of government service in both the military and civilian sector.
McHugh, who traveled from Virginia through an icy snowstorm, was the
Technical Center's guest speaker on February 14, presenting "FAA In Iraq
-- Reconstruction In Combat."

Just prior to the presentation, and on behalf of the Secretary of
Transportation, **Dr. Wilson Felder**, Technical Center Director,
awarded McHugh the prestigious honor of the Department of
Transportation's War On Terrorism Medal. Dr. Felder said, "this medal is
awarded for contributions above and beyond the call of duty in
protecting and securing the nation in the fight against terrorism."
McHugh, named Interagency Chair of the Joint Force Staff College in
September of 2005, began his presentation by thanking Dr. Felder while
removing the pinned-on medal stating, "if you know me you'll appreciate
that I believe there are others in Iraq who deserve this award far more
than me."

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

"You cannot understand Iraq by what you read in the paper or what you
see in the media," McHugh stated. "And those of us, who have been there,
have an obligation to share our experiences." McHugh continued with a
caveat of being in Iraq a very short time, having a small window to look
through and stating his observations were biased and limited. "Anything
I say is not intended to be critical or political, but rather a way of
just passing on some of my valued experience, while recognizing the work
that is being done. There are some 35 FAA employees who have been there
to date."

McHugh attended a 13-week course preparing him to plan and execute
jointly with DOD; Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard, since, as he
says, "all must learn to play together nicely." The question was asked:
what competencies and capabilities do government agencies bring to the
war fight? And after securing the title, Senior Aviation Advisor to the
Embassy in Iraq, a position he won over 80 applicants, and spending 10
months in Iraq among the troops, he was in a position to answer. "We
have a number of very important roles. A global war on terror is not
just a war in Iraq, or Afghanistan, or South Africa. It is a war against
a dedicated enemy of over a billion people across the globe." He then
warned the audience that if we don't get serious, our children would pay
the price.

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

With an impressive slide presentation, McHugh pointed out that Iraq and
its neighboring states do not cooperate with each other. Villages have
no running water. Education is not a valued opportunity. He explained
that transportation is difficult and usually limited to helicopters. He
showed video clips of sand storms of 60 knots, lasting up to 12 hours,
creating darkness and obstacles for our troops. Another slide, depicted
angry soldiers removing statues of Sadam after learning he had over 60
exclusive palaces. This was followed by photos of bombs, home made
rockets, and explosions, too close for comfort. He explained pictures of
T-Walls, concrete bunkers that both protect people from explosions, but
also stop us from communicating with Iraqis. McHugh said he believes
there will be no resolution until the T-Walls are removed.

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

McHugh continued explaining how our troops work in 130-degree weather,
anywhere from 12 to 17 hours a day, seven days a week. Their pride in
protecting our country seems coupled with their amazing sense of humor.
He said he was amazed at their dedication. They are the hardest working
people he has ever seen. He shared a story of visiting a palace with a
painting on the ceiling. Taking the Saudi Director of Aviation to see
the painting, he noticed tears in his eyes and asked if he was
emotionally moved? The director replied, "No, I am saddened to think the
artist received only \$2 a month to paint this scenery."

The presentation ended with McHugh expressing, "there are major cultural
differences between our countries and we need to be sensitive to that.
It is an important part of the diplomatic relationship...all the
non-governmental agencies, like Save the Children and the Red Cross, and
all governmental agencies are needed. They all contribute to success. We
must create a network; a joint planning, education, and execution
process that brings all the important capabilities of government to bear
on any given problem, in a responsive way. That's the model. If you walk
out of here and can be a champion of that, I have succeeded today."

![](media/image5.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

**Profile: Dave Blake - Accident Investigations and the Future of Fire
Suppression**

By Pete Castellano

![](media/image6.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

Dave Blake

On December 26, *[The Press of Atlantic
City](http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/story/7050219p-6908532c.html)*
featured a front-page story about **David Blake**, an engineer and fire
safety researcher with the Operations Panning, Research and Development
Fire Safety Group at the Technical Center. The profile focused on
Blake's longtime experience and efforts assisting in aircraft accident
investigations led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Blake has participated in 39 accident investigations worldwide, more
than any one else, documenting the fire damage from accidents where fire
was a factor. This is in addition to his normal job leading and working
on several key FAA fire safety projects.

The story can be found at:
<http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/story/7050219p-6908532c.html>

We thought it would be of interest to our readers to recap the
highlights of the story, with perhaps some additional thoughts and
insights, so we sat down with Dave, along with his boss, the 'Fire
Chief' here at the Center, **Gus Sarkos**. But in addition, we wanted to
focus on the truly meaningful breakthroughs in fire suppression
technology that this group has pioneered as a result of such
investigations, and, perhaps even more significant, their goals and
objectives for future improvements in the safety of air travel.

Blake is a Drexel University engineering graduate, who first worked at
the Technical Center as a co-op. As *The Press* put it, " Blake is a
soft-spoken man in his 40s with an unobtrusive bearing and a quiet
smile, who has spent much of his time recently working on new
fire-control technology in the hollowed-out cabin of an old FedEx cargo
plane next to Building 275. Tomorrow, though, he might be rushing to
Brazil, Canada or Indonesia, to help decipher the world\'s latest
terrible plane crash.... He largely works alone. His most constant
companion, these days, is the FedEx 727, with its musty-smelling bowels
and dangling wires. Here, Blake is experimenting with the use of
nitrogen to extinguish fires in an airplane\'s walls, a technology that
could someday save hundreds of lives. Today, figuring out how to save
lives. Tomorrow, figuring out what ended them. This is Dave Blake\'s
career."

According to Sarkos, the Center began its involvement with accident
investigations in 1980. Group member **Dick Hill** was the first to
participate, and Dave took over from there. "By participating in crash
investigations, the FAA is able to get ahead of the curve, since NTSB
recommendations often come from an accident," says Sarkos. "Working
directly with NTSB 'working level' personnel allows us to gain
information, and exchange ideas -- this benefits the Technical Center as
well as the FAA," added Blake.

Sarkos went on to add, "Accident investigation may seam to be
'glamorous' work, however, it is really hard and tedious work -- sifting
through 16 pallets of cargo to try to find out what started a fire. It
is also dangerous, because you never know what materials burned, and
what types of gas or chemicals you can be exposed to." We do know,
however, that it has proved to be invaluable work in leading to improved
aircraft safety.

Blake's first investigation involved A Sikorsky S76 helicopter that
crashed in Hartford, Connecticut, and burst into flames. It was a
charter helicopter, and the crash might have attracted little attention,
except that the king of Jordan was scheduled to ride in the same
helicopter the following day. *The Press* went on to highlight Blake's
work investigating some of the most significant crashes in history,
including: The Nov. 27, 1989 Boeing 727 which exploded above Bogota,
Colombia; The 1991 Boeing 767 Lauda Air crash near Bangkok, Thailand;
the infamous Flight 800 crash over Long Island in 1996; and the May 1996
crash of a ValuJet DC-9 in the Florida Everglades.

![](media/image7.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

Lauda Airlines 767 in Suphan Buri province, Thailand, near the Burma
border, on 5/26/1991. Aircraft broke up in-flight and crashed into the
jungle after an uncommanded deployment of the left engine thrust
reverser. Left engine shown.

![](media/image8.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

**Lauda Airlines 767. Left wing shown.**

![](media/image9.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

DC-9 in Barranquilla, Columbia on 3/17/1995. A fire ignited in the area
of the flush motor of the aft right lavatory shortly after the APU was
started while the aircraft was parked at the gate.

The Press concluded "The last few years have been quiet for Blake. So
far in 2006, he\'s investigated only one incident, involving a cargo
fire in a UPS plane in Philadelphia that claimed no lives. But frankly,
that\'s the way Blake likes it. It leaves him more time to concentrate
on his main mission: preventing fires and fatalities by making aircraft
safer."

![](media/image10.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

Philadelphia airport on 2/7/2006. An in-flight main deck cargo fire of
the main deck of a UPS DC-8 -- the accident is still under
investigation.

And that is where we wanted to pick up the story. The Fire Safety group
has had a long and distinguished record of accomplishment in making
aircraft safer. The group was responsible for recommending the process
of inerting, to protect aircraft from accidental fuel tank explosions
using inert gases . They have also completed research here at the Center
on the fire safety implications of pre-packaged self--heating meals
(MREs) designed for military use. They have done work on lithium
batteries, which were in the news recently with a nation-wide recall of
lap tap batteries. The UPS fire in Philadelphia last year had
implications as to the severity of that issue . Members of the group
have been instrumental in solving crimes though investigation and expert
testimony. They were also successful in banning the shipment of
flammable Chemical Oxygen Generators along with cargo.

As a result of the Value Jet investigation, some 3,000 aircraft have
been retrofitted with fire suppression systems in all hardened
compartments. And as Sarkos proudly points out, "Dave has personally
lectured the International Society of Air Safety Investigators, and
testified before the NTSB on numerous occasions, and Dave has
participated in 39 accident investigations worldwide, more than any one
else ." The group sponsors and participates in numerous national and
international groups devoted to fire prevention and safety. Click
**here** to view a video of the actual Value Jet fire simulation
conducted at the Technical Center.

![](media/image11.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

DC-9 crash near Miami on 5/11/1996. The aircraft crashed in the
Everglades outside of Miami, due to a fire initiated by improperly
packaged and shipped solid oxygen generators in the forward cargo
compartment. This mockup was done at Tamiami Airport, southwest of
Miami.

One area on which the group is very focused is that of improving
insulation material, to slow the burnthrough rate. One of the most
common causes of fatalities is after a crash, fuel leaks from the tanks
and catches fire. The group is setting the standard to make sure that an
external fire will take at least 4 minutes to burnthrough the fuselage,
giving the passengers and crew a crucial window of time to escape. The
group has pioneered the use of Kapton insulation to achieve this goal.
As of September 2009, all new aircraft will use this insulation. In
addition, Airbus has decided to certify the use of Kapton ahead of this
deadline for its A380 aircraft.

Looking ahead, the Fire Safety Group will continue to work on preventing
hidden in-flight fires by developing tougher flammability standards for
all materials in hidden areas, and by improving firefighting tactics.
Work will also continue on structural composite flammability issues.
Fire protection against shipment of hazardous materials is also a top
priority. Halon is the agent used today for fire suppression. It is not
being manufactured any longer due to environmental issues, so the group
is testing replacement agents to make sure they are effective. Work will
also continue on long-range research on ultra-fire resistant materials.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **The IEEE Affinity Group, Women in Engineering Speaker Series**

  **Deborah Germak, Program Manager, FAA Technology Transfer Program**
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

By Holy Cyrus

![](media/image12.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

Featured Speaker Deborah Germak, Program Manager, FAA Technology
Transfer Program, receives a certificate from Holly Cyrus

The IEEE Affinity Group, Women in Engineering, hosted a Speaker Series
luncheon on February 13, 2007, at the East Bay Crab and Grille
Restaurant. The honored guest was **Deborah Germak**, Program Manager,
FAA Technology Transfer Program, who discussed the activities being
conducted under the direction of **Dr. Wilson Felder**, Director of the
Technical Center, in order to benchmark the Technical Center as a test
and evaluation center for the FAA.

There are several important purposes of the exercise. Goals include
fiscal accountability, alignment of the Center with ATO and NGATS work,
and focusing on the "T" in the Technical aspect of the Center's name.

A team of Technical Center employees with a wide variety of
administrative, technical, and financial experience are engaged in a
study to perform a quantitative and qualitative comparison of the
Technical Center facilities and resources to other prominent facilities,
such as NASA Ames Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Sandia
National Laboratory, the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation
Center, the Naval Air Warfare Center, Aberdeen Test Center, and the Mike
Monroney Aeronautical Center. The team will also provide recommendations
to maintain the Technical Center as a world-class facility for aviation
research, development, and verification/validation.

With the many FAA organizations located at the Technical Center,
including Terminal Tower & TRACON, System Engineering, Flight
Inspections, Operations Support, FAA Research & Development, and the
many other organizations on the Center campus including the Federal Air
Marshals, US Coast Guard, NJ Air National Guard 177 th Fighter Wing,
Transportation Security Lab, and the Atlantic City Int'l Airport, along
with our core of NAS Laboratories, the Tech Center is uniquely
positioned with NAS Automation, Communication, Flying Laboratories,
Traffic Flow, Human Factors, Weather, Navigation, Surveillance and
Modeling/Simulation capabilities all under one roof.

The team is visiting the various facilities and gathering data from each
of the sites in order to compare and contrast with the Tech Center.
Areas of interest include general facility information, mission,
recognition, workforce, physical facilities, communications, fiscal
data, technology transfer, and local processes. The report is due later
this spring.

**National Engineering Week**

By Jason McGlynn

![](media/image13.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

**Rodney Guishard, Program Director, Office of Knowledge Management,
speaking about engineering at the Davies Middle School in Hamilton
Township.**

On February 22, 2007, in celebration of National Engineering Week, two
teams of engineers and computer scientists from the Technical Center
went to two schools in the community to get kids interested in the
engineering field. **Jensyl Guy**, **Latasha Reddick**, **Jamaal
Lipscomb**, **Jeffery Henderson**, and **Michael Ogundoju** went to the
science lab at Pleasantville High School and showed a 13-minute DVD
documentary entitled "Who Are Engineers" followed by a PowerPoint
presentation entitled "Exploring Engineering." The presentation was used
to brief the students on the different types of engineers, why
engineering is important, the different work phases of engineering, the
technology of a couple of engineering products, the major fields of
engineering and what each field involves, and the steps necessary to
become an engineer. The event was conducted twice and approximately 45
students ranging from grade nine to grade twelve attended each session.
The students were very receptive to the documentary and presentation and
most of them showed interest by answering and asking questions during
and after the presentation.

![](media/image14.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

**Jennifer Morris and Andy Lamb from Capacity Modeling and Analysis,
speaking about engineering at the Davies Middle School in Hamilton
Township.**

**Rodney Guishard**, Program Director, Office of Knowledge Management,
and **Jennifer Morris** and **Andy Lamb** from Capacity Modeling and
Analysis gave a presentation about engineering at the Davies Middle
School in Hamilton Township to three 8 th-grade classes containing about
120 students each. The presentation covered the definition of
engineering, how engineers contribute to society, what they do, the
various types of engineers, as well as some of the requirements for
becoming an engineer. Jennifer and Andy presented an in-house developed
airport simulation model as an example of a Software Engineering
product. Jennifer described and demonstrated how the model is being used
to assist airport authorities in determining the impact and airport
design modifications needed to accommodate the new super sized Airbus
380 passenger aircraft at selected airports. At the conclusion of the
presentations students asked questions and were provided a handout about
engineering. The students and faculty from both schools were
appreciative and thanked the presenters.

**Employee Profile: Thomas F. Wood, Director, Human Resource Management
Office**

By Carolyn McKinney-Bobo

![](media/image15.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

Tom Wood, Director, Human Resource Management Office

On October 16, 2006, **Thomas F. Wood** started in his new position as
Director, Human Resource Management Office at the FAA Technical Center.
In this capacity, he is responsible for advising and assisting the
Technical Center managers in directing, coordinating, communicating, and
ensuring the adequacy of FAA plans, programs and initiatives associated
with: employment, compensation, human resources information and
automation, learning and development, labor and employee relations,
benefits, workplace environment and operational human resources
services. His office services the following organizations: ATO-P, ATO-T,
ATO-E, ATO-W, and all ACT (AJP-7) organizations at the Technical Center.

Tom previously served as Program Manager for the Labor and Employee
Relations Program in the Human Resource Management Office at the Center
for 16 years before his selection as Director. Prior to coming to the
Technical Center, Tom served as Labor Management Specialist for the
Department of the Navy, Civilian Personnel Management, Northeast Region
for 6 years.

Tom's vision for his organization is to become more of a strategic
partner with the managers being serviced.

Tom mentioned that, in the very near future, all employee personnel
folders would be electronic. He says it will be good for the employees
because their files will be at their disposal for review at any time. He
feels this will be a help to the HR office in that they will be able to
get more into the consulting business for the management team and
employees, as well, here at the Center.

The Technical Center management team and employees extend our
congratulations to Tom, and wish him much success in his new position.

**Opportunities at the Technical Center Capture Full Attention of Honors
Students from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)**

By Ginger Cairnes

![](media/image16.jpeg){width="3.5527777777777776in"
height="2.7555555555555555in"}

NJIT Students tour the National Airport Pavement Test Facility with Jim
Patterson

*"The strength of the United States is not the gold at Fort Knox or the
weapons of mass destruction that we have, but the sum total of the
education and the character of our people."* B.F. Skinner

About a year ago **Professor Paul J. Dine** and a group of students from
NJIT Albert Dorman Honors College visited the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) Headquarters in Washington, DC and had the
opportunity to meet with former Intergovernmental Affairs Manager,
**Quentin Burgess**. Extremely impressed with the students, Burgess
highly recommended that the college contact the Technical Center to set
up study tours and meetings with experts in technical fields here. Paul
contacted Visitor Program Manager, **Ginger Cairnes** who set the wheels
in motion. **Greg Rasnake**, Congressional Liaison, as well as the
office of Congressman **Donald Payne**, N.J., 10th District, both of
whom fully supported this visit, also contacted Ginger.

The New Jersey Institute of Technology is a major public technological
university whose mission is education, research, economic development
and service. It offers programs to prepare students towards a
"technology dependent economy of the 21 st century". Public and private
partnerships are often explored. There are six schools. Among these is
the Albert Dorman Honors College. Approximately 600 students in the
honors program excel in engineering, aerospace studies, computer
science, architecture, sciences and liberal arts.

![](media/image17.jpeg){width="3.91875in" height="2.3944444444444444in"}

NJIT Students, with Center Director Dr. Wilson Felder, Kaye Jackson and
Ginger Cairnes of the Congressional Liaison Staff, along with NJIT
Professors Paul Dine and Lois Hulin

The mission of the Albert Dorman Honors College is to "Offer excellent
students a superior academic program, hands-on research activities and
projects, and meet with specialists at major corporations in their
respective fields in order to prepare them to be leaders in their
fields," and help them achieve their full potential. Courses offered are
in all majors offered at NJIT, but are specially designed to meet the
minds of the students enrolled in honors school.

From the moment the students arrived their interest never wavered. They
had the opportunity to visit labs, experience hands-on demos, and attend
a lunchtime panel discussion on the Tech Center's Role in aviation and
opportunities for students. Later they were briefed on some of the
latest information regarding the Airport Technology Branch's current
research and their Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Program,
especially as it relates to the New Large Aircraft (NLA).

A special thanks goes out the following presenters and their staffs for
helping make an extremely memorable visit and creating challenges for
the future: Flying Laboratories, **Armando Gaetano**; Standard Terminal
Automation Replacement Systems (STARS) Lab, **Ed Gaguski**; Enhanced
Traffic Management System (ETMS), **John Hensyl**; Automated Dependent
Surveillance -- Broadcast (ADS-B) System, **Mike McNeil**; Lunch Panel
Discussion, Facilitator, **Janet Kinsell**; Panelists, **Nelson
Miller**, **Fred Snyder**, **Rodney Guishard**, **Steve Salvati**, and
**Pat Watts**; Fire Safety, **Dave Blake**; R & D Airport Technology and
Aircraft Safety, **Jim Patterson** and **Murphy Flynn**.

The students proved Skinner's quote that education goes beyond the
books. Their quest for knowledge, their questions and intensity merely
skimmed the surface of what their characters will show in the not too
distant future.

**Women's History Month - Sea Isle School Honors Outstanding Women**

By Mary Lou Dordan

![](media/image18.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

Shown after the program are the guests of honor and their areas of
expertise: (Seated) Dr. Mary Caruso, education; Ellen Byrne, attorney;
(Standing) Linda Layton, tourism/hospitality; Misty Kingsland, law
enforcement; Dr. Irene Jameson, public relations; Martha Parish, flight
inspector pilot, FAA; Mary Tumolo, fashion; Suzanne Spinic, air traffic
control specialist, FAA. Not shown: Angela Bacher, science; Patricia
Bourgeau, author; Joan Barron, NCIS.

The Sea Isle City Public School celebrated Women\'s History Month this
year with an outstanding program held for their students in grades 3 - 8
on March 30. Local women, who had achieved great success in various
careers, described their professions to the students, gave advice about
job interviews, and stressed the importance of volunteerism to \"get
your foot in the door.\" Each speaker encouraged the students to find
their \"passion\" and not to let anything or anyone stand in their way
of achieving their goals. Another key message each speaker stressed was
the importance of getting a good education. Aviation Education &
Outreach Program Manager, **Mary Lou Dordan,** coordinated FAA\'s
participation in this event that included two outstanding speakers from
the Technical Center . **Martha Parish** and **Sue Spincic** were the
most popular speakers of the day with their exciting comments about how
aviation impacted their lives. The Q & A session from the students at
the conclusion of the presentations was mostly focused upon
aviation-related questions.

**New Jersey Department of Transportation's Division of Aeronautics
Visits the Technical Center**

By Ginger Cairnes

![](media/image19.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

Keith Bagot shows the 'snozzle' feature of the HPRV

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has the
responsibility to promote aviation safety statewide and help "foster the
development of an efficient transportation system" to meet the needs of
its users. Within the NJDOT, the Division of Aeronautics oversees 48
public-use airports and 362 heliports.

The State Legislature had originally created the State Department of
Aviation, the State Aviation Commission and the Office of the State
Director of Aviation in 1931 due to the increasing popularity of the
airplane in New Jersey . The Division of Aeronautics joined NJDOT in
1966 when the Highway Department officially became the Department of
Transportation. The Bureau of Licensing and Aircraft Operations within
the division employs 4 Aeronautical Operations Specialists and 1 Chief.
Although these employees wear many hats their primary tasks are
conducting safety inspections of airports and heliports, and accident
investigation.

Because of their area of responsibility, they paid a visit to the
Technical Center in order to increase their personal knowledge, and to
see first hand what developments in safety they can look forward to
seeing in the future. Their focus was on Airport and Aircraft Safety R &
D Programs.

Attending from the Division of Aeronautics were: **John Kaiser**,
Engineer, Division of Aeronautics; **Robert Draper**, Aeronautical
Operations Specialist; **Gerard Leipfinger**, Aeronautical Operations
Specialist; **Ronald Harbist**, Aeronautical Operations Specialist; and
**Bart Ritorto**, Aeronautical Operations Specialist -- all of whom
except Mr. Kaiser are pilots. Also in Attendance from the Department of
Homeland Security, was **Lou Illiano**, Aviation Security Safety
Inspector, Newark, NJ.

![](media/image20.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

The NJDOT group visits the AFTIL lab with John Pallante

Among the labs that "wowed" the visitors was the Airport Facilities
Terminal Integration Laboratory (AFTIL). This facility provides vital
information on both tower siting in its structures lab, as well as a
360-degree tower view that displays a realistic Air Traffic Control
Tower environment in order to study safety procedures such as visibility
for the controller and possible runway incursions. **John Wilks**,
**John Pallante**, and **Rodger Bawgus** brought the group into several
towers to illustrate the capabilities and realism of the program.

![](media/image21.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

Bill Cavage explains the fuel inerting process

In spite of heavy winds that day out on the aircraft ramp, **Bill
Cavage's** presentation on the Boeing 747SP Ground Test Article proved
to be time well spent. This aircraft was decommissioned from service and
acquired from Boeing by the FAA for use to develop and test Ground Based
Inerting (GBI) systems as well as to investigate fuel vapor flammability
in heated center wing tanks. It will also be used in other safety
efforts.

As part of an agency goal to reduce the number of fatal aircraft
accidents by 80% in 2007, the FAA developed the FAA's Aging Transport
Non-structural Systems Plan, which calls for research into the effects
of aging on electrical and mechanical systems. Among the areas being
researched under this program is safe operation of aircraft electric
systems. **Mike Walz** and **Caesar Gomez** demonstrated some of the
research being done with circuit breakers, arcing on a "line" and other
types of electrical faults.

![](media/image22.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

Dave Blake provides a tour of the Full Scale Fire Test Facility

The Technical Center can proudly boast about its Full-Scale Fire Test
Facility. It is the largest U.S. Government operated facility of its
kind, where both post-crash and in-flight fires are being studied.
**Dave Blake**, who is called in by the NTSB to assist on many of its
investigations discussed work currently being done in this building such
as fuel inerting, burn-through resistance, and studies in preparation
for the new large bodied A380 aircraft. He also discussed the Fire
Safety Branch's role in investigations.

To further explain burn-through resistance and the Fire Resistant
Materials Program, **Nelson Miller** took the group into one of the labs
currently doing tests on the development of new fire safe materials for
use on commercial aircraft. One of the goals of the Fire Resistant
Materials Program is to eliminate use of hazardous materials and improve
current materials in the next 10 to15 years that can cause death in
aircraft accidents.

**Satish Agrawal** welcomed the group and gave a brief overview of the
many programs under his Airport Technology R & D Branch. The recent
arrival of the Airbus A380 and the FAA Airport Technology R & D Branch's
Operation of New Large Aircraft (NLA) Program is of great relevance and
presents challenges to rescue personnel -- not only because of the size
of the aircraft, the number of passengers (873 passengers and crew) it
will be carrying, the high upper passenger deck, but also because of the
composite materials from which it is constructed.

In conjunction with the Operation of NLA Research Program, **Keith
Bagot** (*image at the top of the page*) of the Aircraft Rescue and
Firefighting (ARFF) Research Program demonstrated the FAA's High
Performance Research Vehicle (HPRV) with its 50 ft. high reach
extendible turret (HRET) and skin-penetrating nozzle, along with several
other new technologies that are on airport firefighting vehicles.
Several members of the group got a chance to climb in the driver's seat
of the HPRV to experience some of the vehicle's controls and features.

**Nick Subbotin** gave a presentation on the many new challenges that
the FAA is currently researching with the operation of NLA. The FAA will
conduct testing on many of these firefighting challenges at the NLA Fire
Test Site at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, FL where the FAA has
constructed a 60 ft. section steel mock-up of a second level aircraft
including the leading edge of a wing and first inboard engine nacelle.
The mock-up is located inside a 100 ft. diameter fire pit where live
fire testing and other NLA related research tasks can be completed.
Other tasks include the evaluation of a 65 ft. HRET for reaching second
level aircraft, developing new firefighting strategies unique to second
level aircraft, and evaluating access so that airport firefighters can
assist during passenger evacuations, extinguish interior fire, and
rescue passengers.

Research in Air Traffic Management and in most of the Airport and
Aircraft Technology Branches is interrelated as we work toward not only
the NLA, but also toward the future safety of both airports and aircraft
-- which was in keeping with the purpose of this visit by the NJ
Division of Aeronautics, and the Homeland Security Inspector.

**New Jersey Youth Challe*NGe* Academy visits the Technical Center**

By Ginger Cairnes

![](media/image23.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6354166666666665in"}

Allan Abramowitz explains the drop test process

Today's youth are faced with many challenges; among them are trying to
complete a High School education, and possibly plan to continue on to
some form of higher education. Standard public school systems are not
always the answer. Lifestyles, problems at home, and outside influences
often stand in the way of a student being able to achieve that which he
or she is really capable. Frustration often leads to dropping out of
school, and the student can easily further slip away with few, if any,
goals.

There are alternatives -- not necessarily a "normal alternative school",
but other institutions that provide not only courses of study, but also
other knowledge leading toward success and a good self-image.

An example is the New Jersey Youth Challe***NGe*** Academy, whose
mission is to "provide a highly disciplined environment fostering
academics, leadership development, physical training and personal growth
to educate and train unemployed youth who have ceased to attend high
school" -- for whatever reason.

This voluntary program, in a military type setting, run by the New
Jersey Air National Guard and the State of New Jersey is designed to
"develop well-educated, well-rounded and productive citizens." Studies
include: Math, Science, Reading, English, History, Writing Skills,
Computer courses, and Life Coping Skills. In addition to the standard
studies there is a focus on life style changes, community service,
self-discipline, and self-esteem. Students must be drug and alcohol
free, officially withdrawn from High School and have no pending "legal
involvements."

The program has three phases. The Pre-Challe***NG***e Residential Phase,
the Challe***NG***e Residential Phase, and the Challe***NG***e Post
Residential Phase.

The two-week Pre-Challe***NG***e Residential Phase is probationary and
teaches conduct, teamwork, leadership skills, health and hygiene,
physical fitness and assesses the potential for successfully completing
the program. After this phase the applicant will be considered a
"cadet." The Pre-Challe***NG***e Residential Phase lasts five months
during which the student also becomes part of a mentoring program. Once
passing a GED and successfully passing the life skill/discipline
components the student will receive a NJ State High School Diploma.
During the Challe***NG***e Post Residential Phase students work together
with their mentors to "sustain their life style changes" and increase
the chances for continued success.

![](media/image24.jpeg){width="4.345138888888889in"
height="3.3694444444444445in"}

The Cadets get a view through a 10-foot section of a B737 fuselage used
for testing in the late 90s

After being contacted by **Colonel Kenneth Prossick** (RET) of the
Academy, **Al Jefferson** called upon **Ginger Cairnes** to provide
tours and possibly a workshop for the students.

**Jim Patterson** and **Nick Subbotin** from the Airport Technology R &
D Branch welcomed the group in the auditorium at which time
presentations were also made on the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting
(ARFF) Program, airport lighting, and the New Large Aircraft. After this
presentation students traveled to the R & D area where **Keith Bagot**
provided a demonstration of the ARFF's High Performance Research
Vehicle. Also while visiting the R & D area, **Allan Abramowitz**
explained the Crashworthiness Program and showed results from previous
Drop Tests.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) also peeked the students' interest. They were
able to actually sit at the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement
Systems (STARS) displays, feel the experience of "controlling traffic"
and handing-off aircraft." Assisting the students were: **Ed Gaguski**,
**Madurai Vaidyanathan**, **JT Skarda**, **Dave Cognata**, **John
Lawson**, **Sue Kleva**, **Lee Wong**, **Allan Manalang**, **Dave
Pagan**, and **Ernie Heinz**. In addition, they had the opportunity to
go up into the mock ATC Tower located in the STARS lab area.

As part of the Aviation and Space Education Programs the FAA and NASA
have the SMART SKIES interactive program, a tool in which five ATC
problems challenge students to safely separate two planes. ATC
terminology is introduced and math, reasoning, and computer skills are
called to task in "real-life" situations. **Mary Lou Dordan** directed
the students at this workshop.

![](media/image25.jpeg){width="4.176388888888889in"
height="3.238888888888889in"}

A Coast Guard pilot explains search and rescue techniques

The final event for the day was a trip to the United States Coast Guard
(USCG) Ground Air Station located at the Tech Center. The demos and
presentations by **LTZachary Mathews** and staff gave the group the
opportunity to learn about the USCG program, climb into the choppers,
and see a "search, drop, and rescue" demo. While visiting this building
an actual live rescue "call" was sounded.

The pace of the day did not seem to affect the students. Not only was
the discipline they receive evident, but the group also displayed a
tremendous amount of enthusiasm for everything they saw taking place at
the Technical Center.

**Technical Center Hosts Annual Meeting for the Mid-Atlantic Institute
for Simulation and Analysis**

By Tammy J. Lusk, Esq.

 

On March 29, 2007, **Deborah Germak**, Program Manager, FAA Technology
Transfer Program hosted the Mid-Atlantic Institute for Simulation and
Analysis (MAISA) Annual Meeting at the Technical Center. **Dr. Wilson
Felder**, Director of the Technical Center welcomed the attendees.
**John Wiley**, Managing Director of FAA Integrated Engineering Services
gave an overview of the Technical Center. **Dr. John Lacontora**, from
Boeing/MAISA is the group's leader. **Dr. Peter Kincaid** from the
University of Central Florida discussed "Trends in Modeling and
Simulation." **Guy Higgens**, Vice President at Boeing Company discussed
"Modeling and Simulation at Boeing." After lunch, panel discussions were
held on "The Growing Importance of Modeling, Simulation & Analysis and
its Impact on the Future of Aviation" and "The Aviation Research and
Technology Park."

The Institute's initial focus is on Modeling, Simulation and Analysis
(MS&A) for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. They provide educational
opportunities, research and development capabilities, and professional
services to meet regional and national requirements. It is also
established to foster regional economic development where appropriate.

The MAISA creates a vehicle that brings regional organizations
(government, industry and academia) together to enable the growth and
maturity of a national MS&A capability. The mission of MAISA is to
promote economic and cultural development by extending MS&A literacy,
research, resources, and application knowledge. Their goal is to develop
and sustain a regional MS&A institute with the capability to link and
support MS&A professionals throughout the region, to create an MS&A
institute with the capability to link and support MS&A professionals
throughout the region, to create an MS&A virtual knowledge center, to
leverage and provide national MS&A resources to organizations that are
in need that would not otherwise have the resources available to them,
to promote MS&A educational programs at all levels of education
(K-PhD.), provide training and professional development opportunities,
and to provide an outlet for technology transfer.

Organizing members of the group include; SMART (Strengthening the
Mid-Atlantic Region for Tomorrow), FAA, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Carnegie
Mellon University, Drexel University, New Jersey Institute of
Technology, Richard Stockton College, University of Pennsylvania,
Breakaway Ltd, Environmental Tectonics Corporation, The Boeing Company,
CACI, and NAVMAR.

**Center Passes Environmental Management System Audit**

By Greg Falzetta

 

During the week of March 26, the Technical Center underwent an
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 registration
audit for its Environmental Management System (EMS). The Center
successfully passed this rigorous five-day evaluation and is on its way
to becoming EMS Certified. There are several different forms of EMS, but
the most widely used and accepted is the ISO 14001 format.

The Center started its EMS implementation process in December 2002 as a
result of Executive Order 13148, "Greening the Government through
Environmental Management." The Center was one of two pilot EMS projects
in the FAA and is the first FAA facility or organization to achieve
third party EMS certification.

Some may not be aware of what EMS is and why we are pursuing
certification. An Environmental Management System is a process designed
to enable an organization to integrate environmental decision-making
into its everyday business process. The result being that our products,
services, and operations follow established environmental principles to
avoid harmful human exposure, conserve energy and resources, and
minimize the use of ecologically detrimental materials. In practical
terms what this means to you is that we take a proactive approach to
recycle our trash, dispose of our chemicals, conserve energy, and
preserve our facilities and natural resources. An easy way to remember
the Center's goals under EMS is CONSERVE, COMPLY, PREVENT (CCP).

It's important to understand that EMS certification is a continuous
process with internal and surveillance audits required several times
pert year. Everyone's involvement is needed to insure that our EMS
Processes are working. All employees are encouraged to learn what they
can do to make the Center's work environment a healthy and safe one. For
more information, visit the Earth Day exhibit in the Building 300 Atrium
the week of April 16, visit the Centers EMS website at
<http://environmental.act.faa.gov/ems> or contact **Greg Falzetta**, EMS
Coordinator at 485-5787.

**José Benítez Bids Farewell to the Technical Center**

By De Anne C. Adams-Jefferson

By the time this article goes to publication, Hispanic Employment
Program Manager, **José E. Benítez**, will no longer be an employee of
the Technical Center. José accepted a promotional position as a Senior
Contract Specialist at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office in
Washington, DC. He leaves behind a long and accomplished career with the
FAA.

José started his FAA employment in 1983 at the Technical Center as a
Contract Specialist for the Acquisition Materiel Division. His
contracting talents grew over the years, as he became one of the key
Contract Specialists at the Technical Center. He was selected as Manager
for the Contracts Pre-Award Section in 1999 and continued to perform
these duties through 2002. The pinnacle of his FAA career was his
appointment as the Acting Manager for the OT&A Acquisition Group in
February 2002, and he performed those duties through July 2003. With 23
years as a Contract Specialist, he was both highly valued and revered
throughout the FAA.

His good work also extended beyond his responsibilities as a Contract
Specialist. This was evident through his volunteer activities. He joined
the National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees (NHCFAE)
in 1984. He became an EEO Counselor in 1986, and performed this duty
through February 2007. While in this role, he successfully worked many
diverse EEO cases for both the Technical Center and the Eastern Region.
He also acted in a collateral duty assignment for the Office of Civil
Rights as Hispanic Employment Program Manager from 1987 through 1989,
and again from 2004 through 2007. Similarly, he performed the duties of
Grievance Examiner, another collateral duty assignment, from 1990
through 1992. Also, in 1992, he was selected as the Chairperson for the
Technical Center's America's Quincentennial Committee.

José was appointed as the Administrative Officer for the newly formed
National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees (NHCFAE)
Technical Center Chapter in 1990 and served in that capacity until 1992,
when he was elected as the NHCFAE's Regional Chapter Director. He served
in that capacity through 1997. In addition, during José's tenure as
Technical Center Chapter Director, the chapter hosted the NHCFAE's
National Training Conference held in Atlantic City in August 1996. The
Technical Center Chapter was awarded the Chapter of the Year Award in
1997. Additionally, he was appointed as the NHCFAE National Director of
Education in 1997 and served through 2000. José stayed involved in
volunteer activities throughout his FAA career and helped countless
Hispanics and others in many ways.

The members of the NHCFAE Technical Center Chapter would like to thank
José for his dedication and hard work over the years. He will be missed
by all of us.

Thank you, José! Good luck in your new endeavors and may God bless and
watch over you and your family.

**Technical Center Training -- Enhancing our Technical Stature**

By Roxy Mays

The Technical Center is continuing to realize its vision of being a
world leader in aviation technology. A component of this stature is a
well-trained workforce. Under the Air Traffic Organization's
"organizational excellence" goal, the Technical Center is pursuing a
workforce development initiative to ensure our professional and support
staff under the Vice President for Operations Planning (ATO-P) maintains
currency and competency in basic skills and develop new ones as demanded
by emerging technology and operating practices.

Various Center employees have conducted needs assessments, researched
sources and costs to fulfill the needs, and requested and obtained
supplemental funding to implement educational and training activities to
achieve the workforce development initiative. To make employees aware of
and available to participate in the scheduled activities, the
Organizational Excellence Group and the Acquisition Workforce Council
have jointly prepared and will update and publish the "ATO-P Technical
Center Training Calendar" on a frequent basis.

Employees should discuss their interest in attending any of the
published educational and training events with their manager and
coordinate with their respective training coordinator when official
calls for enrollment/participants are issued.

The following courses have been scheduled:

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|   ------------------------------------------------------------------  |
|   **Contract Management for CORs/COTRs (Slots Allocated -- 30         |
|   Participants)**                                                     |
|                                                                       |
|   Three-Day Course on May 22, 23 and 24, 2007 Time: 0830 -- 1600      |
|   (4:00 pm)                                                           |
|                                                                       |
|   Location: HR Training Room                                          |
|                                                                       |
|   Throughout the course, attendees will learn to apply core           |
|   responsibilities and how they apply to contract management;         |
|   identify key requirements and clauses under FAA AMS that affect     |
|   technical reviews and inputs; take appropriate action to develop a  |
|   sound and ethical business relationship with the contractor; plan   |
|   for quality and schedule assurance of the contractor's              |
|   performance; identify common areas of direction authority and       |
|   practical steps and safeguards for issuing directions; distinguish  |
|   between their authority to technically direct the contractor's      |
|   performance versus the need to work through the Contracting         |
|   Officer; Identify areas of assistance and input to placing task     |
|   orders, modifying or terminating contracts, and reviewing           |
|   contractor requests for equitable adjustment; and know how to       |
|   perform invoice review on fixed price and cost type contracts.      |
|                                                                       |
|   Target Audience: AJP 7000 Federal Employees Assigned as COTR or     |
|   Alternate COTR Currently Working on Active Contracts and Have Not   |
|   Received Training                                                   |
|                                                                       |
|   POC: <Roxie.Mays@faa.gov> or ext 4206                               |
|   ------------------------------------------------------------------  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

 

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|   ------------------------------------------------------------------  |
|   **Key Ingredients of System Engineering Course (Details in          |
|   Progress)**                                                         |
|                                                                       |
|   Two Day Course in June 2007 0800 - 1630                             |
|                                                                       |
|   Location: CVA Conference Room                                       |
|                                                                       |
|   The course provides an overview of the system engineering process   |
|   as defined by the FAA System Engineering Council; defines each of   |
|   the basic elements in the system engineering process; describes     |
|   how system engineering fits into AMS; and applies consistent        |
|   methodology and tools for using system engineering principles       |
|   across a system's Life cycle.                                       |
|                                                                       |
|   Target Audience: ATO Federal Employees                              |
|                                                                       |
|   POC: <Roxie.Mays@faa.gov> or ext 4206                               |
|   ------------------------------------------------------------------  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

 

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|   ------------------------------------------------------------------  |
|   **Intro to FAA Risk Management Course (Details in Progress)**       |
|                                                                       |
|   Two Day Course in June 2007 0800 - 1630                             |
|                                                                       |
|   Location: CVA Conference Room                                       |
|                                                                       |
|   The course provides detailed step-by-step training of the risk      |
|   management process. This training takes a participant through the   |
|   entire process, both as a practitioner and as management. The       |
|   participant will learn how to create the work products that are     |
|   generated from the risk management process, which products are to   |
|   be delivered and how they are to be used for decision making        |
|   (especially AMS investment decisions and OMB Exhibit 300).          |
|                                                                       |
|   Target Audience: ATO Federal Employees                              |
|                                                                       |
|   POC: <Roxie.Mays@faa.gov> or ext 4206                               |
|   ------------------------------------------------------------------  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+