In the Spotlight

Dr. Navneet Garg and Dr. David Brill from FAA’s Airport Technology Research & Development (ATR) Branch designed and presented a webinar focused on using a laboratory for characterizing new and green materials, advanced modeling techniques, and full-scale testing. The session, for 66 participants on March 28, 2024, covered ongoing research and development at the National Airport Pavement Research Test Facility (NAPTF), the National Airport Pavement & Materials Research Center (NAPMRC), and the NextGen Pavement Materials Laboratory. In particular, the specific challenges of future airport pavement design were addressed. Participants learned about FAARFIELD 2.1 software, the differences between sustainability and resiliency in pavements, and the sustainable pavement initiatives, such as Life Cycle Assessment, currently under research at the FAA Technical Center.   

Dr. Navneet Garg | Navneet.Garg@faa.gov
Dr. David Brill | David.Brill@faa.gov  

Jim Layton and Russ Gorman from the Airport Technology Research & Development (ATR) branch attended the Sustainable Aviation Energy Conference hosted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Grapevine, Texas, on April 1-3, 2024. The conference focused on the transition from current fuels to the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), electric power, and hydrogen fuel. Conferences such as this are critical to help inform ATR’s research focus and approach to driving sustainability.   

A core theme of the conference was the need to plan for the conversion to alternate fuels, especially the use of SAF in the near term. Layton attended a workshop on airport-enabling efforts and Gorman attended the alternate fueling infrastructure workshop.

Russ Gorman | William.R.Gorman@faa.gov
Jim Layton | James.Layton@faa.gov  

Dr. Daniel Offenbacher and Dr. Wesley Major from FAA’s Airport Technology Research & Development (ATR) Branch presented at the Northeast Chapter, American Association of Airport Executives (NEC/AAAE) 2024 Airports Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on March 25–27, 2024. Their presentation, FAA Tech Center Update, focused on ongoing research at ATR, and was attended by 50 engineers, researchers, and executives. The session concluded with a Q&A segment, during which Drs. Major and Offenbacher answered inquiries about Tech Center pavement research and project updates.

In addition to their presentation, Drs. Offenbacher and Major made connections with airport operators and engineers in the Northeast Region and attended other workshops on a variety of topics including airfield modifications and use of Portland concrete cement.

Daniel Offenbacher | Daniel.I.Offenbacher@faa.gov
Wesley Major | Wesley.Major@faa.gov

Matthew Brynick from the Airport Technology Research & Development (ATR) Branch presented at the Tri-Services Pavement-Transportation Meeting in Denver, Colorado, on February 27-29, 2024. More than 50 students, engineers, and researchers attended his presentation, FAA Research Updates. Highlights were a focus on sustainability and resilience and the need to emphasize the use of emerging technology.

This annual meeting of the military’s engineering commands (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, and Air Force Civil Engineer Center) brings together professionals from these groups as well as the FAA and private industry for presentations on airfield pavement topics. It facilitates knowledge exchange and networking, fostering collaboration for future advancements in airfield pavement research and development.

Mat Brynick | matthew.t.brynick@faa.gov

Lyndsay Digneo, Aviation STEM Program Manager, along with Murphy Flynn, Darian Byrd, and Holly Cyrus  from the Airport Technology Research & Development (ATR) Branch won the NJ STEM Month Award for Collaboration of the Year for their organization of a Student Day at the Naval Air Station Wildwood Museum, where students learned about the area’s aviation history and the future of aviation.

This award is given to honor those who provide outstanding STEM programs in their community and beyond. The award will be presented at the June 5, 2024, STEM Pathways Network quarterly meeting and will be featured in a press release, their website, and social media channels.   

Murphy Flynn | murphy.flynn@faa.gov