06.12.03

Cantwell’s Aviation Research Center Flies Through Senate

Cantwell wants Washington state to become “composites central” to help woo 7E7 final assembly

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate today approved Senator Maria Cantwell’s (D-WA) proposal to create a new aviation research center on the use of advanced materials such as composites in the next-generation of aircraft such as the Boeing 7E7. Cantwell first announced the proposal in Seattle this April with representatives from the University of Washington, the Boeing Company, and the Boeing Machinists and engineers unions.

"I proposed this center to help make Washington state ‘composites central,’" Cantwell said. "To build the next generation of Boeing airplanes here in the Northwest, we need to have the next generation of aviation manufacturing technologies here in the Northwest."

Composite materials are stronger, lighter, and more resistant to corrosion than aluminum. Because composites help make aircraft more efficient to operate, composites will be critical in the production of the 7E7. Up to sixty percent of the new airplane could be made of composite materials, including the entire wing. That is a dramatic increase from today’s aircraft. For example, ten percent of each new Boeing 777 is made from composite materials. A 2001 study from George Washington University concluded that, by 2016, composites will replace traditional metals in all new aircraft designs.

In keeping with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) mission to improve flight safety, a primary goal of the research center will be to improve flight safety through the use of composite materials in aircraft. "R&D in the use of composites won’t just help build more efficient aircraft, but safer aircraft as well," Cantwell said. "We are well-positioned to help lead this effort to increase flight safety through the use of composites." Nearly ninety percent of the FAA’s $100 million R&D budget is spent on aviation safety programs.

Cantwell’s legislation directs the FAA Administrator to develop a new regional Center for Excellence to focus on applied research and training on the durability and maintainability of advanced materials in transport airframe structures, including the use of polymeric composites in large transport aircraft. The research center would focus on these advanced materials with three primary goals. First, it would research the long-term durability and maintainability of aircraft manufacturing structures. Second, it would train new composites engineers and technicians and offer them continuing education. Third, the center would bring companies, researchers and government together to share ideas about new applications of the research.

Cantwell worked with the University of Washington and the Boeing Company to draft the proposal, which was included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill passed today. The University of Washington is currently partnered with Washington State University, Oregon State University and Edmonds Community College in the effort to host the new research center.

The legislation would create the country's fifth FAA Center of Excellence (COE). The COE program is administered by the FAA to foster collaboration among industry, academia, and the FAA to perform research pertinent to developing and maintaining a safe and efficient national aerospace transportation system. The current four COEs are: (1) Airworthiness Assurance Center (Ohio State, Iowa State); (2) Operations Research (Berkeley, MIT and others); (3) Airport Pavement Research (University of Illinois, Northwestern); and (4) General Aviation (Embry-Riddle Aero Univ., Wichita State, University of North Dakota and others).

In addition to the aviation research center, Cantwell has undertaken several initiatives to help the state effort to win 7E7 final assembly, including participating in meetings of the state task force on 7E7. Late last month, Cantwell created a federal "service counter" with Governor Locke to help smooth federal regulatory and permitting issues. Cantwell also worked with Boeing to secure funding for a new composites workforce training program at Edmonds Community College. In April, she convened a Senate Commerce Committee hearing in Seattle to focus on the use of composites in advanced manufacturing processes. Cantwell is also working with Snohomish Public Utility District and others to explore ways to reduce energy costs for Boeing. Along with the entire Washington state delegation, Cantwell fought for the 767 tanker lease which will keep the 767 line operating.