The Partnership to Enhance General Aviation Safety Accessibility and Sustainability (PEGASAS) consists of a partnership between the FAA and a national network of world-class researchers, educators and industry leaders to accomplish that signature mission. SAFE Executive Director Doug Stewart recently proposed, “Considering that the missions of both PEGASAS and SAFE are very closely aligned, it would appear to be a very natural alliance of our mutual goals.” With their overlapping missions and resources, SAFE and PEGASAS agree that working together really is a “no brainer.”
Bill Crossley, PEGASAS University COE Director, said, “I agree that the PEGASAS Center of Excellence and SAFE have very similar objectives. Having SAFE as one of our ‘industrial/organizational partners’ in the stakeholders category makes great sense, and I’m happy to add SAFE…and we’ll invite SAFE to bring representatives to our annual meetings. This increases our connections with the GA community.”
Since its inception in October 2012, PEGASAS has built an extended network of state and local general aviation-related organizations and industry affiliates. They range from local to multi-national in size and presence, and include a representative sample within the aviation industry’s broad spectrum: from suppliers to manufacturers, from professional organizations (such as SAFE) to airports and government agencies. A representative sample of these stakeholders serve on our Advisory Board who meet with PEGASAS leadership regularly to provide feedback on research, education and outreach projects. We have asked Doug Stewart to serve on the PEGASAS Advisory Board, and SAFE is set to become one of the affiliate members.
On the academic side, PEGASAS includes world renowned universities and institutes with top-tier aviation programs as well as highly respected schools of engineering, science and policy. PEGASAS has the unique ability to recruit and engage students and faculty that may not yet be directly involved in general aviation but are tops in their respective core fields with interests applicable to aviation. Three of the six core PEGASAS members (Purdue, Ohio State and Texas A&M) also own and operate their own airports. Other PEGASAS members have well established relationships with their community airports and maintain facilities and aircraft fleets at those airports.
PEGASAS meets the safety mandate of its mission through unique approaches to research, education and outreach, exploring ways to mitigate the risks facing general aviation pilots, passengers and property. PEGASAS strives to ensure that general aviation remains accessible across the wide spectrum of operators, from light-sport-aircraft owners to those flying in fully instrumented, fully equipped business jets. Finally, PEGASAS endeavors to expand general aviation’s sustainability in a way that allows general aviation to serve the needs of future stakeholders, encompassing environmental, economic, social and educational concerns.
PEGASAS looks forward to a long and fruitful association with SAFE. There is much to be done, and both organizations have the resources, commitment and imagination to press forward in meeting the challenges of the future.
PEGASAS core university partners and contact persons:
Purdue University, William A. Crossley
The Ohio State University, Professor Seth Young
Georgia Institute of Technology, Professor Dimitri Mavris
Florida Institute of Technology, Professor Steve Cusick
Iowa State University, Professor Richard Wlezien
Texas A&M University, Professor John Valasek
University affiliates:
Arizona State University
Florida AMU
Kent State University
North Carolina A&T
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale
Tufts University
University of Minnesota, Duluth
Western Michigan University
University COE Director:
William A. Crossley
Purdue University
765-496-2872
FAA Program Manager:
Peter Sparacino
609-485-5430
-by Professor Steve Cusick, Florida Institute of Technology