Mr. Astor requested that all suggestions be submitted in writing, specifying where it should appear in the Strategic Plan. Dr. Spangler also showed a budget summary for expended and projected costs of the Icing Project through August 1999. Dr. Spangler expressed that the most urgent need now is to complete the icing prototype, go to formative evaluation, make necessary changes, and release the upgraded prototype to regional airlines for the upcoming icing season. He pointed out that if the comments from FAA Flight Standards are not received by mid-June, it might be impossible to finish formative evaluation and distribute a revised module to regional airlines in time to impact the upcoming icing season. FY99 funding is sufficient to extend activities until early August, as long as everything stays on schedule.
Activities can include making changes based on review comments and going to formative evaluation.
There is not sufficient funding in FY99 to make module changes after formative evaluation and begin distribution to regional airlines. This will have to wait until FY00 funding has been received. Captain Houtman felt that the Oceanographer of the Navy would not be able to contribute any funding. The NTSB feels that it is essential to continually provide quality aviation weather training on a regular basis. Mr. Carver informed the Committee that the OFCM could not raise interagency funds for the Alliance but will promote and participate in the Alliance.