FACACLASSIC

Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

Details on agency responses to committee recommendations can be found under the Performance Measures section for each committee in the fields “Agency Feedback” and “Agency Feedback Comment.”

DOT - 700 - Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee	Agency Name	Department of Transportation
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	700
Original Establishment Date	11/3/1989	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	http://www.faa.gov/go/redac
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	30
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Acting Director, FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix	Mr.
Current Charter Date	1/30/1989	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Eric
Date Of Renewal Charter		Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Neiderman
Exempt From Renewal*	Yes	Designated Federal Officer Suffix	Ph.D.
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(609) 485-5604
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Fax*	609-641-5152
Specific Establishment Authority*	49 U.S. Code § 44508), as amended	Designated Federal Officer Email*	eric.neiderman@faa.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	11/3/1988
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Scientific Technical Program Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee (REDAC) continues to provide technical program assessments and advice while addressing the scope of the FAA’s Research and Development (R&D) Portfolio. The subject matter guidance permits extended evaluation of vital programmatic initiatives and corresponding projects. There are five standing subcommittees that support the REDAC by conducting reviews in the summer and winter for the following research areas: Aircraft Safety, NAS Operations, Environment and Environment, Airports, and Human Factors. In the summer, the subcommittees work with the sponsors and performers to conduct detailed program reviews. During the winter, the subcommittees conduct detailed reviews of the proposed R&D portfolios. REDAC meets twice each year, in the fall and spring seasons. During the fall meeting, the Committee reviews and provides input on how the FAA should invest its R&D funding in future portfolio development processes. At this time, the Committee provides guidance for the FY+3 R&D Portfolio. At the spring meeting, the Committee reviews the proposed R&D portfolio and provides additional recommendations for the FY+2 R&D portfolio. These activities align with the Agency’s submission of appropriate financial and budget information for the same portfolio year. The FAA tracks the implementation of the recommendations in a database. Enhanced automation and technologies are being implemented to optimize the accuracy, analyses, and access to the FAA R&D program content.
How is membership balanced?*	In accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering, and Development Authorization Act of l990, Title IX, Subtitle C, Public Law 101-508, dated November 5, l990, current committee members represent the following categories: Universities and Research Centers- 2; Associations - 1; Consumers-2; Total - 5. During FY 2024, there was an enhanced membership revitalization effort conducted to increase the balanced cadre of technical subject matter professionals for the Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee (REDAC). The nominees were fully vetted through all Agency, Departmental, and White House phases. Final selectees will participate as members of the REDAC parent committee.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	REDAC meets an average of two (2) times per year and conducts a number of subcommittee and working group meetings. During FY 2024, the Committee conducted technical program assessments and provided useful recommendations supporting the efficient execution of the FAA's Research and Development (R&D) priorities, identification of key research domain areas, and the optimization of funding allocations and resources. REDAC offered critical awareness and guidance to support the strategic framing of safety research programs and various other technical initiatives while acknowledging successful FAA R&D program and project accomplishments. Key meeting discussions defined important research protocols and drivers required to sustain dynamics within the rapidly changing National Airspace System (NAS). Aviation and aerospace topics included the future capacity and agility of NAS Modernization with emerging technological advances in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Autonomous Vehicles; collaborating and leveraging knowledge of aviation-centric public and private entities to maximize productivity; optimization of research and development resources for continuous safety and certification of future vehicles; continuous process improvement for research grant approvals processes; design of strategic outlooks for aviation research framework; significance of FAA global leadership in aviation; impacts of environmental issues; data driven analyses for emerging technologies and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI); emerging requirements for Cybersecurity issues; Communications, Command and Control architectures, and the requirements for Human Factors in aviation. Committee members expert knowledge and actions provide additional opportunities for the FAA to maintain global influence and leverage proficiencies for the production of an effective R&D portfolio. REDAC advice and guidance provides a noteworthy platform that supports the Agency's sound decision-making for continued safety in air travel. The Committee and its subcommittees, provide an important link for the FAA that promotes appropriate interface with consumers, communities, interested parties, and a myriad of subject matter experts in aviation-related disciplines and industries.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	Obtaining advice from other non-legislatively mandated sources would be cost-prohibitive, time consuming and less efficient. The REDAC provides the FAA with a cost effective mechanism to optimize the expertise, experiences, and technical guidance essential for sound Research & Development (R&D) execution from the nation's leading subject matter professionals in aviation and aerospace. Regularly scheduled committee meetings permit consistency in technical assessment, planning, and implementation that supports the FAA’s development of R&D priorities. The gains from the Committee membership provide a platform that enables the FAA to maintain perspective as the rapid pace of aviation related technologies accelerates. Annually, the FAA involves the Committee in reviewing planned R&D investments and other emerging research areas. The FAA engages the Committee to assist in the coordination of collaborative R&D activities with industry, academia and other government agencies i.e. NASA, DoD, DoE and EPA.
Why close or partially close meetings?	All REDAC meetings are open to the public. In unique circumstances, events may occur that require a partially closed session in the interest of safety and to eliminate the inadvertent release of unauthorized Agency information until formal protocols have been met. During this fiscal year, there were no closed sessions.
Recommendation Remarks	During this fiscal year, FAA Acting Administrator personnel changes from B. Nolen and P. Trottenberg to formally selected FAA Administrator M. Whitaker.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	Yes	Action Reorganize Priorities*	Yes
Outcome Trust In Government	No	Action Reallocate Resources	Yes
Outcome Major Policy Changes	No	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	Yes	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	No	Action Other	Yes
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	No	Action Comment	The Agency has requested the assistance of the Committee to conduct various studies. Ad hoc working groups may be formed to provide guidance to the Agency on specific topics of interest.
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	No	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	Yes	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	The Committee's work is required by legislation and meets this requirement through meetings, information sharing, partnering, etc. The Agency relies on the Committee's work to develop its Research and Development (R&D) portfolio. The ad hoc working groups provide the Agency with expertise to help address specific issues.	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	The Committee provides the FAA advice from experts outside of the Agency. The members are not compensated for their time.	Grants Review Comment	NA
Number Of Recommendations*	1,064	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	The Committee provides final recommendations to the Administrator twice a year. They also communicate recommendations from the subcommittee/ad hoc working groups and their reports. From 2005 - 2024, the Agency has received 1064 recommendations.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	75.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	The Agency receives and reviews all recommendations from the Committee when formulating the Research and Development (R&D) portfolio. Implementation of the guidance is executed as appropriate.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	10.00%	Access Publications	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	All of the Committee's recommendations are reviewed and considered for execution when the Agency formulates its research portfolio. Some of the recommendations the Agency can or cannot accept (15%) dependent upon the scope of the recommendation. The recommendations provided by the Committee help the Agency prioritize funding and various research programs.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	N/A
Agency Feedback Comment*	The FAA responds in writing back to the Committee Chair with a letter signed by the FAA Administrator providing the Agency's intended actions pertaining to REDAC's recommendations. Additional feedback is given at the subcommittee meetings where the members are updated on the status of the implementation of the recommendations. The FAA tracks the implementation of all of the recommendations in a database. At each meeting, the FAA reports the status to the recommending subcommittee until the subcommittee votes to close the recommendation.	Narrative Description*	The REDAC and its standing subcommittees are completely engaged in providing advice and recommendations on FAA's portfolio of Research and Development (R&D) projects. The Full REDAC meets twice each year to review and approve the work of the subcommittees and to provide guidance to the FAA on the portfolio of projects and then again review proposed portfolio measures developed using their guidance. The standing subcommittees do the same activities at a much more detailed level, working with the research performers in the various scientific and technical lines of business. Subcommittees also review the execution of these projects to ensure they are directed toward their original intent, are of high quality, and are achieving satisfactory progress. The reports included in the FY 2024 data were thoroughly discussed and edited to include the REDAC parent committee's deliberations and recommendations. These reports address FAA R&D Portfolios that include forward looking perspectives, thus the Portfolio 2026 referenced in the reports title/name.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*		1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*
2. Payments to Federal Members*		2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*
3. Payments to Federal Staff*		3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*
4. Payments to Consultants*		4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*		5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*		6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*		7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*		8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*
10. Other Costs		10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*
11. Total Costs	$0.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified	3/14/2025 11:19 AM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*		Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

Category Area Aviation Air Traffic Airline Sciences Aviation Research Research and Development

Custom Links

Committee Level Reports