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COMPETITIVE ASSESSMENT OF TECHNOLOGY 139 lect, read, and evaluate published U.S. aeronautical technical data, which are widely distributed. The panel recognizes the value of trying to extract maximum domestic value from technical information generated by public funds. Attempts to impose restrictionsâhowever laudible their intentâmust be sensitive to a long history of unfortunate consequences of similar past efforts. Any new effort to reexamine this problem will need to recognize the value of international technical cooperation and research exchanges at the university level. The growing technological strength of foreign competitors is creating a considerable amount of foreign-based aeronautical R&D in the technical literature. NASA does not collect and evaluate the best foreign R&D and distribute reviews or assessments to the U.S. technical community. In general, U.S. industry also has not been aggressive in monitoring and applying foreign technical advances. The panel concurs in the OSTP recommendation that NASA collect and evaluate foreign R&D and distribute results to the U.S. technical community. The panel also recommends that U.S. aircraft manufacturers and firms in the supporting infrastructure assign higher priority to the collection and evaluation of foreign technology and build their capability to do so. Role of FAA The FAA is responsible for flight safety, operational safety, and certification of new aircraft, equipment, and procedures. Through coordination with NASA in formulating the rules for certification, the FAA can help accelerate the development of the technology base, its application and certification, and its acceptance by designers, developers, and buyers. Special attention should be devoted to the rapid advances in electronics and their use for flight control, for air traffic control, and for general operations. If this is done in concert with NASA's technology development, it will shorten the time for certification and for the introduction of such advances in aircraft and operational systems by manufacturers. The industrial members of the panel believe that more effective coupling between NASA and FAA as technology development proceeds would reduce uncertainty for aircraft designers in obtaining certification of new aircraft. The panel recommends that the FAA work closely with NASA in the definition and implementation of validation programs to include those aspects of technology pertinent to FAA's mission responsibilitiesâflight safety, operational safety, and related certification.
