1

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

REDAC Subcommittee on Aircraft Safety (SAS)

2018 Spring Meeting Minutes

March 14-15, 2018

The 2018 Spring REDAC SAS Meeting was held on March 14-15, 2018 at the General Aviation 

Manufacturers Association, 1400 K Street NW, Suite 801 Washington, DC 20005. The meeting agenda is 

attached in Appendix I. Attendee sign-in sheets are attached in Appendix II. On the second day of the 

meeting, the representatives from FAA’s Aviation Safety Office (AVS) Senior Leadership participated in a 

forum with SAS members on the strategic needs of aviation safety research as well as emerging 

challenges and opportunities. This document summarizes discussions and activities that occurred during 

the meeting. All presentation materials are available and can be downloaded through the FAA REDAC 

website.

Day 1 – March 14, 2018

Introduction/Opening

The SAS Chair, Ken Hylander, and the SAS Designated Federal Official (DFO), Eric Neiderman, jointly 

kicked off the meeting with brief opening remarks, which were followed by introduction of the 

Subcommittee and all attendees.

FAA Director of Research Overview

Shelley Yak, Director of the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center, began by thanking the 

Subcommittee for reviewing the research portfolio. She then discussed the National Aviation Research 

Plan (NARP), which was being redesigned to be a goal-driven strategic overall plan for research. 

SAS Chair Opening & Report on REDAC Meeting

Ken Hylander announced that he had taken a new position with Amtrak effective January 22, 2018. A 

search is underway for a new Chair/Member. The full REDAC meeting was held in October 2017. One of 

the main topics discussed at the meeting was the new FAA Cybersecurity plan, along with the need to 

take a broader system-wide look at industry to truly understand vulnerabilities. There was also a 

discussion regarding Unmanned Aviation Systems (UAS), and there was frustration expressed because 

an integration plan was not shared that would help to understand the big picture. REDAC members 

expressed the desire for the other subcommittees to reexamine strategic issues. 

FY2021 Strategic Guidance & SAS Input

Mark Orr, Aerospace Engineer, presented strategic guidance for development of the 2021 Office of 

Aviation Safety (AVS) research portfolio. The strategic guidance identified some hazards, risks, and 

safety issues based on samples of data that drive AVS research needs. While the data covered a variety 

of operations, it is only a subset of extensive aviation safety data that affect the FAA, and specifically 

AVS. Following Mr. Orr’s presentation, the Subcommittee discussed the strategic guidance. 

SAS Emerging Issues Overview and Expectations

A discussion took place on emerging issues. It was noted that the Subcommittee can look out further 

and make a more compelling argument for emerging issues. There was also a discussion about how the 

strategic guidance related to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance and inherently 

governmental activities. 
2

OMB Memo M-17-30 

Mark Orr provided information on OMB Memo M-17-30. Issued on August 17, 2017, the memo listed

four priority areas (American Security, American Prosperity, American Energy Dominance, and American 

Health) and five Priority Practices (Increasing Government Accountability and Efficiency, Supporting 

Innovative Early-Stage Research, Maximizing Interagency Coordination, Developing a Future-Focused 

Workforce, and Modernizing and Managing Research Infrastructure). 

Mark Orr discussed how to apply the guidance, including re-assessing FY19 & FY20 portfolios and further 

reviews with upper management. Additionally, he mentioned that the FY20 portfolio was subject to 

change.

Budget Update

Mike Gallivan, Manager of Research, Engineering and Development (RE&D) Financial Management, 

presented the FAA RE&D budgets. He indicated that the FAA did not have a finalized budget and was 

operating under a Continuing Resolution (CR) until March 23, 2018. The FY2018 RE&D budget request 

was $150 million. The House Appropriation Committee (full committee) Introduced to House on July 21, 

2017 a budget that funded RE&D at $170M while the Senate Appropriation Committee (full committee) 

Introduced to Senate on July 27, 2017 a budget that funded RE&D at $179M. An Omnibus funding bill

was expected in March of 2018. 

Further, Mr. Gallivan reported that the budget deal did establish an overall FY 2019 funding agreement

of $1.32Trillion, with Congressional Hearing and Reports this spring or summer. The House and Senate 

Marks may be available for the Summer REDAC meeting. 

Looking past FY 2019, the FY 2020 target is $74 million. The request will be delivered to Office of 

Secretary of Transportation (OST) in June 2018 with submission to OMB in mid-September. The 

President’s budget request will be submitted to congress on February 4, 2019. Targets for out-years 

(subject to change) will be $74 million each year for FY 2020 to FY 2024.

Discussion of Budget Impacts and Research Priorities 

There was a discussion on the budget impact on the FY 2019 research priorities as well as on PC&B. It 

was noted that privatization of the ATO is off the table. 

The M-17-22 Memo, dated April 12, 2017, on the Comprehensive Plan for Reforming the Federal 

Government and Reducing the Federal Civilian Workforce was also noted. The Memo aims to make 

government lean, accountable, and more efficient.

FY2020 Portfolio Review: 

Mark Orr and Eric Neiderman led the discussions on the following subject areas:

 Fire Safety, Propulsion Systems, Structure Integrity of Composites, and Aircraft Icing

 Digital System Safety/Aircraft Systems Information Security Protection, Continued AirworthinessSystems, Continued Airworthiness -Structures, and Catastrophic Failure Prevention

 Human Factors, System Safety Management, Terminal Area Safety, & Weather

 Aeromedical Research & Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Preparation for AVS Management Team Forum

The committee prepared for the AVS management team forum scheduled for Day 2.

First Day Review 

The last agenda items for the first day of the meeting were a Subcommittee member caucus in 

preparation of the SAS meeting with the AVS Management Team the next day as well as a review of the 
3

first day and homework assignments. The Subcommittee DFO and AVS R&D Manager participated in the 

caucus.

Topics included the strategy of emerging issues/presentation by Chief Scientific and Technical Advisors 

and the budget formulation for this, budget issues/balance property, and membership/

leadership/succession planning.

Day 2 – March 15, 2018

Review Day-1 Homework and Feedback

Mr. Hylander started the meeting with a summary of the first day and reviewed homework assignments.

Comments on commercial resources and in-house impacts were made. There was a general concern 

regarding loss of critical skills. The impact on economy and industry, the need to protect the human in 

the environment (e.g. oblique seats), global standards, autonomy and green aviation, cyber as well as 

other topics were discussed. 

National Academy of Sciences Report on In-Time Aviation Safety Management 

Ken Hylander and John Cavolowsky (NASA) gave a presentation on the National Academy of Sciences 

Report on In-Time Aviation Safety Management. NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate 

(ARMD) conducts research related to several of these topics, including aviation safety. For example, 

ARMD is conducting research to support development of a real-time safety assurance system for the 

NAS. Such a system would operate in real time or near real time to monitor the state of the NAS, 

identify unsafe risks as they arise, and then assist in mitigating those risks. Research by many 

organizations other than NASA is relevant to the development of a real-time safety assurance system. 

Accordingly, ARMD requested that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 

convene a committee to develop a national research agenda that would (1) identify key challenges to 

the development of a real-time safety assurance system for the NAS and (2) identify high-priority 

research projects that would overcome those challenges.

Validation of Analytical Models to Demonstrate Compliance 

David Polland from Boeing Commercial Airplanes provided a presentation “Toward Increased Use of 

Predictive Technologies in Civil Certification.” He discussed the current hardware-centric approach vs 

the future model-based-engineering-centric approach. Challenges for both approaches were discussed 

as well as the need for research and collaborative opportunities in this area. 

Fatigue Management Workshop (SAS Fall 2017 Finding and Recommendation (F&R))

The Subcommittee discussed the 2017 SAS Finding on Fatigue Mitigation and follow-up research on 

Fatigue Risk Management System/Fatigue Risk Management Plan. 

UAS Research Status (SAS Fall 2017 F&R)

The Subcommittee discussed the 2017 SAS finding on UAS Research and placing added emphasis on 

communicating research findings that can provide parallel benefits within the unmanned and manned 

aviation sectors. 

Additive Manufacturing Research Activities & National 

The FAA Chief Scientist and Technical Advisor (CSTA) for Fatigue and Damage Tolerance, Michael Gorelik 

and FAA Engineer Kevin Stonaker, jointly presented the FAA Additive Manufacturing (AM) program. 

They provided an overview, discussed AM certification challenges, FAA’s research role and supporting 

members, long-term research plan overview, and details of the research task.

Electric Propulsion 
4

Gary Horan (FAA) presented on the Path to Electric and Hybrid/Electric Engine Regulations. The current 

regulatory framework and how new technologies such as e-motors fit in was discussed. FAA industry 

committee involvement for standards includes: ASTM, GAMA, SAE, Propulsion and Power Systems 

Alliance, and more. E-motors and how they fit into current regulations were discussed. 

AVS Senior Leadership Forum 

FAA Associate Administrator of Aviation Safety Peggy Gilligan and members of AVS Management Team, 

participated in discussions with the Subcommittee. 

GA Exploratory Study – PEGASAS COE 

Bill Crossley from Purdue University facilitated a discussion on research that was conducted under a 

Partnership to Enhance General Aviation Safety, Accessibility, and Sustainability (PEGASAS) grant --

General Aviation 2030 - GA Exploratory Analysis. The purpose of the research was to document 

strategic general aviation research topics that, when addressed in the near term, could help the FAA and 

other GA stakeholders better prepare for issues that general aviation may face in 2030. The report 

documents the approach taken during and outcomes resulting from a benchmarking activity to search 

available literature and other discussions of the future of general aviation and from two workshops that 

engaged participants from industry and government to gather the view of the future of general aviation 

from these subject matter experts. The benchmarking exercise identified six major topical areas for GA 

in 2030: new energy, infrastructure, advanced design & manufacturing, automation, airspace 

management, and certification. 

Based upon the commonality of topics across the benchmarking and workshops, along with the energy 

the participants in the workshops used to develop the themes, the project team summarizes that the 

four themes with the highest apparent priority are: airspace management, airport infrastructure,

automation, and connectivity. The team recommends that all ten themes, perhaps with an emphasis on 

the four high-priority themes mentioned above, guide work to allow the development of a true general 

aviation research and development plan. While the workshop participants represented a broad 

spectrum of the general aviation community, input from additional sectors of GA would also ensure 

both that as many of the GA stakeholders as possible feel engaged in the research plan.

Closing Remarks

Subcommittee findings and recommendations were reviewed. The meeting ended at 5:00 PM with the 

Subcommittee Chair and DFO thanking all for organizing/participating in the meeting. 
5

Appendix I

Meeting Agenda

Dress code: Business Casual

Location: General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)

1400 K Street NW, Suite 801

Washington, D.C., 20005

Telecon: Dial In Access: (USA Only) 888-924-3230 or 888-335-6670

Dial In Access: (Direct Dial) 609-916-1975 or 405-225-2375

Participant Passcode: 402773

Instructions: Call the Dial-in Access number listed above.

When prompted, enter the Passcode followed by the # key to be connected.

WebEx: https://aviationresearch.webex.com 

Meeting number: 990 777 977

Meeting password: march

Click here or type/copy the following WebEx address to join the meeting directly: 

Site Info: See Page Error! Bookmark not defined. for Parking/transportation and lodging information

March 14, 2018 (Wednesday)

Time Topics Presenter(s)

8:00 – 8:30 Arrival

8:30 – 8:45 Introduction/Welcome/Opening Remarks Eric Neiderman

8:45 – 9:00 FAA Director of Research Overview Shelley Yak

9:00 – 9:15 SAS Chair Opening & Report on REDAC Meeting Ken Hylander

9:15 – 9:30 FY2021 Strategic Guidance & SAS Input Ken Hylander/Mark Orr

9:30 – 9:45 SAS Emerging Issues Overview and Expectations Ken Hylander/SAS Members

9:45 – 10:00 OMB Memo M-17-30 Mike Gallivan/Eric Neiderman

10:00 – 10:15 Comfort Break

10:15 – 11:00 FAA Budget Update Mike Gallivan

11:00 – 12:00 Discussion of Budget Impacts and Research Priorities Ken Hylander

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch

1:00 – 1:30 FY2020 Portfolio Review: Fire, PS, SIC, & AI1 Mark Orr/Eric Neiderman

1:30 – 2:00 FY2020 Portfolio Review: SDS/ASISP, CASys, CAStr, & CAFP2 Mark Orr/Eric Neiderman

2:00 – 2:30 FY2020 Portfolio Review: HF, SSM, TAS, & Wx3 Mark Orr/Eric Neiderman

2:30 – 2:45 FY2020 Portfolio Review: AM, & UAS4 Mark Orr/Eric Neiderman

2:45 – 3:00 Comfort Break

3:00 – 4:30 Preparation for AVS Management Team Forum Ken Hylander

4:30 – 5:00 First Day Review – Homework Assignments Ken Hylander

6:00 - Group 

Dinner

Gordon Biersch

900 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004

gordonbiersch.com

(202) 783-5454

 

1 Fire, PS, SIC, & AI: Fire Safety, Propulsion Systems, Structure Integrity – Composite, Aircraft Icing

2 SDS/ASISP, CASys, CAStr, & CAFP: Digital System Safety/Aircraft Systems Information Security Protection, Continued 

Airworthiness – Systems, Continued Airworthiness – Structures, & Catastrophic Failure Prevention 

3 HF, SSM, TAS & Wx: Human Factors, System Safety Management, Terminal Area Safety, & Weather

4 AM & UAS: Aeromedical Research & Unmanned Aircraft Systems
7

Dress code: Business Casual

Location: General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)

1400 K Street NW, Suite 801

Washington, D.C., 20005

Telecon: Dial In Access: (USA Only) 888-924-3230 or 888-335-6670

Dial In Access: (Direct Dial) 609-916-1975 or 405-225-2375

Participant Passcode: 402773

Instructions: Call the Dial-in Access number listed above.

When prompted, enter the Passcode followed by the # key to be connected.

WebEx: https://aviationresearch.webex.com 

Meeting number: 990 777 977

Meeting password: march

Click here or type/copy the following WebEx address to join the meeting directly:

Site Info: See Page Error! Bookmark not defined. for Parking/transportation and lodging information

March 15, 2018 (Thursday)

Time Topics Presenter(s)

8:00 – 8:30 Arrival (Aviation Research Division Video)

8:30 – 9:00 Review Day-1 homework, feedback, etc.

Ken Hylander/Eric 

Neiderman/Mark Orr

9:00 – 9:15 National Academy of Sciences Report on In-Time Aviation 

Safety Management Ken Hylander/John Cavolowsky

9:15 – 9:30 Validation of Analytical Models to Demonstrate Compliance David Polland

9:30 – 10:00 Comfort Break

10:00 – 10:30 Fatigue Management Workshop (SAS Fall 2017 F&R) Katrina Avers/Carla Hackworth

10:30 – 11:30 UAS Research Status (SAS Fall 2017 F&Rs) Claude Jones/Nick 

Lento/Sabrina Saunders-Hodge

11:30 – 12:15 Additive Manufacturing Research Activities & National Plan Michael Gorelik/Kevin Stonaker

12:15 – 1:15 Lunch

1:15 – 2:00 Electric Propulsion Gary Horan (FAA)

2:00 – 3:15 AVS Senior Leadership Forum AVS Senior Managers

3:15 – 3:30 Comfort Break

3:30 – 4:00 General Aviation Safety and Emerging Challenges –

SAS/Industry Perspective in FAA Research Needs Greg Bowles, GAMA

4:00 – 4:30 GA Exploratory Study – PEGASAS COE Bill Crossley (Purdue 

University)

4:30 – 5:00 Closing remarks

SAS F&R discussions and feedback

Ken Hylander/Eric 

Neiderman/Mark Orr

5:00 Adjourn
Aircraft Safety Subcommittee

Winter/Spring 2018

March 14, 2018 March 15, 2018

Name Affiliation Name Affiliation

Jackie Simmons FAA/AUS Richard Mendell FAA

Stacey Zinke-McKee FAA/CAMI John A. Catolowsky NASA Aeronautics

Daniel Brock FAA/Flight Std Jimmy Bruno FAA

Katrina Avers FAA/AVS/CAMI Don Kauffman Honeywell

Bill Crossley PEGASAS/PURDUE Frank Wondolowski FAA

David Polland Boeing Jim Schroeder FAA

Chris Heck ALPA Ryan King FAA

Ken Knopp FAA Bill Crossley PEGASAS 

Dres Zellweger Consultant Daniel Brock FAA

Andrew Lacher MITRE Steve Ramdeen FAA-AIR HQ

Jim Mangie Delta Airline Michelle Yeh FAA

Don Kauffman Honeywell Stacey Zinke-McKee FAA

Michel Hovan FAA Kevin Stonaker FAA

Jim Schroeder FAA Mike Paglione FAA

Maureen Molz FAA Mark S. Orr FAA

Shelley Yak FAA Sabrina Saunders-Hodge FAA/AUS

Mike Gallivan FAA Ken Hylander FSF

Eric Neiderman FAA Eric Neiderman FAA

Ken Hylander Flight Safety Foundation Bill Oehlschlager FAA

Steve Ramdeen FAA-AIR John Crowley US Army

James Bruno FAA Chris Kmetz Pratt and Whitney

Frank Wondolowski FAA David Polland Boeing

Michelle Yeh FAA Chris Heck ALPA

Ryan King FAA Ken Knopp FAA

Chinita Roundtree-Coleman FAA Dres Zellweger Consultant

 Jim Mangie Delta Air Lines

 Chinita Roundtree-Coleman FAA