IMAGEAIAA GTTC HANDBOOK

SECTION I - AIAA GROUND TEST TECHNICAL COMMITTEE   11/24/2003
[Table of Contents]

 

SCOPE

The Ground Testing Technical Committee (GTTC) is formed through the Technical Activities Committee (TAC) of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics AIAA to carry out those objectives of the AIAA pertaining to ground testing. Ground testing includes, but is not limited to, the duplication and simulation of aerodynamic and aerospace flight environments, and the testing of aerospace systems, subsystems and components in ground-based testing facilities. Ground-based test facilities include wind tunnels, shock tunnels, ballistic ranges, space environmental facilities, engine and rocket test facilities, and the like.

 

OBJECTIVES

In priority order, the objectives of the GTTC are:

  1. Support and make positive contributions to the AIAA.
  2. Organize, direct and provide media for the timely and relevant dissemination of technical information germane to the scope as stated above. Such media are conferences, technical sessions, symposia, working groups, continuing education courses, and the like. Of these, co-hosting the AIAA Advanced Measurements and Ground Testing Conference with the Aerodynamic Measurement Technology Technical Committee and organizing technical sessions annually for the AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and biennially for the AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference are commitments of the GTTC.
  3. Provide a technical conscience and consultation service for US Government and US industry.
  4. Provide recognition for significant technical contributions. Annual awarding of the AIAA Grounding Testing Award is a firm commitment of the GTTC.
  5. Maintain active liaisons with other AIAA Technical Committees, AIAA staff offices, and affiliated working groups.
  6. Provide technical information germane to the scope as stated above to professionals, students, and other organizations as deemed appropriate by the GTTC Steering Committee.
  7. Foster and endorse means for the efficient use of resources that promote technologies germane to the scope as stated above.

 

ORGANIZATION:                  Organization Chart

  1. The GTTC is subdivided into two primary subcommittees designated as Aerodynamic and Propulsion. Each member of the GTTC is assigned by the GTTC Membership Subcommittee to one of these two subcommittees.
  2. The GTTC Steering Committee consists of the GTTC Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, the chairpersons from each of the two primary subcommittees, and the Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee.  As specified in the Steering Committee charter, this group provides the connection to AIAA and TAC and helps to coordinate the overall efforts of the GTTC.
  3. Additional Task Subcommittees for membership, conference planning, honors and awards, publications, standards, student activities and international liaisons are maintained by the GTTC Chairperson. Staffing these subcommittees is by GTTC Chairperson appointment. As deemed necessary, other subcommittees can be established by the GTTC.
  4. Working Groups are formed with the approval of the GTTC to study specific problems of interest. Working Groups consist of GTTC members and invited non-GTTC members with specialist knowledge.  Working Groups are chaired by GTTC members.
  5. The GTTC officers consist of the Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary.  The Vice-Chair is the only elected official.
    1. Election of the Vice-Chair occurs either at the summer meeting of the GTTC or by email ballot following the summer meeting, with the Vice-Chair elect taking office at the end of the following winter meeting.  The term for Vice-Chair is 2-years. 
    2. After completing the two-year term as Vice-Chair, the outgoing Vice-Chair ascends to the GTTC Chair for an additional two-year term (thus making this a four-year overall commitment to the GTTC leadership team). This transition takes place at the winter meeting.
    3. The GTTC secretary is appointed by the incoming Chair at the commencement of the Chair’s term.

 

MEETINGS and ATTENDANCE:

  1. The GTTC meets regularly two times during a calendar year. One meeting is held concurrently with the AIAA Aerospace Sciences meeting. During the even-numbered years, the second meeting is at the AIAA Advanced Measurements and Ground Testing Conference. During the odd-numbered years the second meeting is at the AIAA/SAE/ASME/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference.
  2. Unless special circumstances dictate, attendance at GTTC meetings is open to all AIAA members, AIAA staff, AIAA honorary members, AIAA retirees and AIAA ex-officio members, and to other individuals as deemed appropriate by the GTTC Chairperson.
  3. GTTC members are expected to attend both GTTC meetings per calendar year.

 

ACTIVITIES:

  1. Host the biennial AIAA Advanced Measurements and Ground Testing Conference
  2. Organize technical sessions for the annual AIAA Aerospace Science Meeting.
  3. Organize technical sessions biennially for the AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference.
  4. Organize sessions for other conferences hosting technical sessions germane to the scope of the GTTC.
  5. Establish and maintain active liaisons with other AIAA TC's. Identifying specific liaisons with other TC's is the responsibility of the two primary subcommittee chairpersons.
  6. Maintain awareness and provide interactive support as appropriate with professional groups inside and outside the AIAA that have charters embodying the technologies of the GTTC-Scope.
    1. Assignment of liaisons to the various related organizations will be reviewed annually.  The GTTC Secretary will maintain the list of liaisons and will provide information as needed to the related organizations.
    2. In order to maintain connection with the space-based ground testing community, liaisons are assigned with the Space Simulation Working Group (a GTTC Focus Group) and Dynamics Simulation Working Groups.
  7. Identify and honor individuals in the aerospace community at large. Procedures for identifying individuals for honors are the responsibility of the Awards and Upgrades subcommittee.
  8. Conduct the GTTC Student Engineering Contest. Organization of this contest is the responsibility of the Student Activities subcommittee.
  9. Prepare written news releases, articles for publication, and other public release information as appropriate. The preparation of public release information is the responsibility of the Publications subcommittee.
  10. Prepare position papers on specific topics. Preparation of position papers is the responsibility of the GTTC.
  11. The GTTC will maintain, review and update as required all AIAA Standards documents produced by GTTC working groups and subcommittees.  Responsibility for this activity resides within the Standards Subcommittee.  The GTTC officers and steering committee will assist in this effort as needed. 
  12. Accomplish special activities as directed by the GTTC Chairperson.
  13. Review, update and approve the GTTC Handbook biennially. The Vice-Chairperson is responsible for the Handbook which is hosted on the GTTC Web site.
  14. Provide an annual report to AIAA and the Technical Activities Committee (TAC) describing the activities completed by the GTTC.  Completion of this task is the responsibility of the Steering Committee with input from all Task Subcommittees and Working Groups.

 

PROCEDURES:

  1. Specific roles and responsibilities of each GTTC officer (Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary) are listed at the following link:   Officers Roles and Responsibilities
  2. Election of the GTTC Vice-Chair:  In order to allow every GTTC member the opportunity to vote for Vice-Chair, an email voting process was started in 2003. 
    1. Nominations for Vice-Chair elect are solicited by the GTTC Chair and Vice-Chair starting at the winter meeting preceding the election.  Nominees will need to confirm with their home organization that an additional 4-year term on the GTTC is permissible.
    2. At the summer meeting, the nominations are finalized and the ballot is made public to the GTTC membership.  If so desired, the candidates may make a short presentation to the GTTC on their qualifications and plans for the TC, if elected.
    3. The GTTC Chair will select an Election Official (the GTTC Chair also act as the Election Official).
    4. Within a week following the summer meeting, the Election Official will send an email to the GTTC membership (including associate and international members) with the list of candidates and a brief overview of each candidate (to be provided by the candidates).  Each member will have 3 weeks to reply to the election official with their selection.  If not reply is received within the time specified, then that member will forfeit their vote.
    5. The Election Official will compile the results and provide the results to the GTTC Chair and Vice-Chair.  The candidates will next be notified of the results then the entire GTTC membership will be notified.
  3. Notes on Associate and International Members:  The GTTC does allow both Associate and International members of the GTTC to vote on all issues and elections dealing with GTTC business and leadership.  AIAA guidelines on Associate (as listed in the appendix of the website) and International members indicate that these members do not have voting privileges.  The GTTC feels that these members are an important part of the GTTC and therefore deserve voting rights afforded a regular member.

Updated 11/25/2003 by Allen Arrington, GTTC Chair.

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This page last updated 12/02/03. Contact Ray Castner with any changes.