Finally the exciting summer of 1999 has ended. The Los Angeles Section has held its first and successful monthly program at FAA’s building in Redondo Beach and synchronized its activities with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of flight. AIAA has planned to celebrate this momentous occasion with a campaign entitled the "Evolution of Flight." This effort will become the conduit for the involvement of our membership, industry, other organizations and governments from around the globe–to engage their participation in this historic centennial event of honoring and celebrating the human journey of discovery and exploration through the accomplishment of flight. The Space Shuttle lifted off, commanded for the first time by a women. Deep Space I, the first of NASA’s New Millennium series of spacecraft, obtained excellent data during a fly-by of a nearby asteroid. Seemingly everywhere, people gathered to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landing, and man’s first steps on another planet. At the same time, Lunar Prospector, the first U.S. mission to the moon in 30 years, was getting ready for its suicide plunge. All in all, it was a pretty good summer for aerospace community – or so it seemed.

In the midst of this celebration, the House Appropriation Committee cut the President’s request for NASA’s FY2000 by 1.325 billion (11% of budget). About $400 millions of that amount was later restored, but there remained a shortfall of a billion dollars.

Most AIAA members look up to NASA to achieve what most think is impossible. The agency has risen to the challenge of smaller budgets. And this is the reward they get? Not only is this a cut to NASA’s programs, it is not good for the aerospace community’s morale at large. These cuts have also come at a time when many are decrying the demise of aeronautics research at the agency. Essentially zeroed out are the two latest efforts in this arena are: The High Speed Research and the Advanced Subsonic Technology programs.

Whether you agree or disagree with these particular choices made by NASA, I urge our membership to get politically active and start talking to our elected representatives. Remember the election year politics- Government leaders need to hear constituents’ concerns regarding important issues that have significant economic and national defense impacts. We must help shape public policy to avoid our careers being uncontrollably shaped by it.

The Los Angeles Section is committed to increase our membership by 10% this year. We need to be big to retain our political relevance. We need your ideas. Join us at dinner meetings. Bring your family and friends. And for a fraction of your time, we can make this year the best year yet for the Los Angeles Section of AIAA.

Zakir H. Mirza

Los Angeles Section Chair

It is the pleasure of the Executive Council to announce the appointment of Keith Comeaux as Treasurer and Bryan Benedict as Public Policy Vice Chair for the year 1999-2000. Please join us in wishing Bryan and Keith much success for this year.

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