In the space of just a few months, the effort has produced results, the most significant of which was passage in October by both the House and the Senate of a three-year NASA authorization bill. This is the first time in eight years that Congress has passed legislation authorizing NASA programs. These increases are consistent with the recommendations of the coalition. The fiscal year 2001 budget for NASA shows, however, that the appropriators have begun to notice the problem and are taking initial steps to correct it. Funding will be increased for a number of important research programs, including quiet aircraft engine technologies, ultra-efficient engines, and small aircraft systems.
Much work remains, however.
As with other areas of research, a sustained, long-term federal commitment is needed to ensure the continued technological and economic viability of the nation's civil and government aviation infrastructure.