Orange County Section

Registration Is Open!

The 20th Annual AIAA Southern California Aerospace Systems and Technology (ASAT) Conference

Sponsored by the Orange County and San Gabriel Valley Sections of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Saturday, May 18th, 2024

Conference Co-Chairs

The objective of the AIAA Southern California Aerospace Systems and Technology (SoCal ASAT) Conference is to bring together seasoned and new engineers, researchers, leaders, managers, academia and students, and provide a forum to exchange new ideas, review achievements, and chart a new course for aerospace in the local area. The AIAA Orange County and San Gabriel Valley Sections will highlight their activities during the past year during the included luncheon. Members, as well as non- members, are welcome.

Keynote Speakers

Morning Keynote: "We Create the Future of Aerospace", Mr. Ed Mugica, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Product Development Systems Engineering

Afternoon Keynote: "The Mars Ingenuity Helicopter", Dr. Nacer Chahat, NASA JPL, Senior Antenna/Microwave and Systems Engineer

Event Theme

Southern California has had a rich history of leadership and innovation in the aerospace industry. Many aircraft, spacecraft, missile, and space exploration programs were conceived and executed here within a several mile radius of each other. The amount of talent, experience, and expertise that resides in the area is immeasurable. However, the nature, landscape, and focus of the local aerospace industry are rapidly changing. The objective of the AIAA Southern California Aerospace Systems and Technology (SoCal ASAT) Conference is to bring together seasoned and new engineers, researchers, leaders, managers, academia, and students and provide a forum to exchange new ideas, review achievements, and chart a new course for aerospace in the local area. Come share your expertise and insights with other local professionals and tap this unprecedented resource.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks Included

During lunch, the AIAA Orange County and San Gabriel Valley Sections will highlight our activities during the past year and celebrate the achievements of some of our professional and student members. In addition, AIAA National staff member Michael Lagana will say a few words regarding student programming opportunities.

Schedule

8:00 - 8:30 AM - Check-in and Continental Breakfast

8:30 - 9:00 AM - Welcome and Introduction

9:00 - 10:00 AM - Keynote Address by Mr. Ed Mugica

10:00 AM - Noon - Morning Breakout Sessions

Noon - 1:30 PM - Lunch and AIAA OC and SGV Section Presentations

1:30 - 2:30 PM - Keynote Address by Dr. Nacer Chahat

2:30 - 4:30 PM - Afternoon Breakout Sessions

4:30 - 4:45 PM - Wrap-Up/Feedback

For details and registration information, please go to the event website below.

Wednesday, May 1st, 2024

presented by

Dr. Paul Bevilaqua, Chief Engineer, Lockheed-Martin Skunk Works

The effect of aircraft performance, number, and schedule on aircraft cost has been analyzed to create a method for making informed decisions about aircraft optimization.  Parametric Costing and Operations Analysis were used to compare the cost of increasing aircraft performance to the operational value of increasing performance.  In addition to the direct cost of performance, this analysis adds the hidden costs to the manufacturer and user resulting from a reduction in the number of aircraft delivered due to incremental increases in their unit cost. It is shown that accelerating aircraft development to deliver an eighty percent solution provides the best value to the user and the greatest return to the manufacturer. 

Paul Bevilaqua has spent much of his career developing Vertical Take Off and Landing aircraft. He joined Lockheed-Martin as Chief Aeronautical Scientist and became Chief Engineer of the Skunk Works, where he played a leading role in creating the Joint Strike Fighter. He invented the dual cycle propulsion system that made it possible to build a stealthy supersonic VSTOL Strike Fighter, and suggested that conventional and naval variants of this aircraft could be developed to create a common, affordable aircraft for all three services. He subsequently led the engineering team that demonstrated the feasibility of building this aircraft.  

Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Dr. Bevilaqua was Manager of Advanced Programs at Rockwell International’s Navy aircraft plant, where he led the design of VSTOL interceptor and transport aircraft. He began his career as an Air Force officer at Wright-Patterson AFB, where he developed a lift system for an Air Force VSTOL Search and Rescue Aircraft. He received degrees in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and Purdue University.

He is an AIAA Fellow and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. He is also the recipient of a USAF Scientific Achievement Award, AIAA and SAE Aircraft Design Awards, AIAA and AHS VSTOL Awards, and Lockheed-Martin AeroStar and Nova Awards.  

The presentation will be on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM PDT via Zoom. The Zoom link for the meeting is below.