Welcome from the General Conference Chair

Plan now to join us for five days of speaker presentations, professional education courses, exhibits and special events.  As both commercial and military fleets begin to age, the modernization of avionics systems on those aircraft becomes extremely important.  Coupled with that is the modernization of ground-based Air Traffic Management (ATM) operations which will drive new avionics updates.  Therefore, the dual-facet theme of the 28th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC) will be "Modernization of Avionics and ATM — Perspectives from the Air and Ground."  This theme builds on both the 26th DASC (4-D trajectory based operations) and the 27th DASC (Integrated Modular Avionics).  We will have 2 main theme tracks, one for the air segment (avionics) and one for ground segment (ATM).  The technical program will present an integrated picture of avionics upgrades in the context of aging aircraft and the ATM modernization efforts.  The theme includes a focus on MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) and future flight operations, which resonates with both commercial and military operators worldwide.

While we will reflect our main theme in two dedicated tracks and other events, we will continue to have papers and courses that span the breadth of digital avionics design, implementation and operation.  These topics include but not limited to CNS (Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance), IMA (Integrated Modular Avionics), Avionics Applications, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Human Factors, Human-Machine Interfaces, Flight Critical Systems, and Avionics Design.  Our Call for Participation gives more information on the scope of the program.

Some highlights of this year's conference include:

Plenary Session – Our Plenary session has been finalized. The speakers will be:

• Mr. John Borghese, Corporate VP, Advanced Technology Center, Rockwell Collins
• Dr. Doc Dougherty, VP, Special Programs, Raytheon
• Dr. Wilson N. Felder, Director of the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center, FAA & AIAA
• Dr. Val Gavito, Senior VP and Chief Technology Officer, L-3 Communications Integrated Systems Group
• Mr. Don Morrow, VP, Platform Computing Systems, GE Aviation Systems
• Dr. Ian A. Wilson, Independent Consultant, Boeing Phantom Works

Technical Program -- We will have hundreds of papers presented over a two and a half day period by international researchers, innovators, engineers, and designers who are creating digital avionics equipment and subsystems, ground systems, services, and support. These will be organized into parallel, topically oriented tracks.  Focusing on our theme, we will have a panel of avionics and ground system experts providing presentations and question-and-answer interaction during our Thursday lunch panel.

Professional Education – Our Professional Education program offers two days of sessions spanning many engineering disciplines. These tutorials are presented by both educators and practicing professionals. Topics should include: basic and advanced avionics systems, systems engineering, open systems architectures, human factors, software development and many others.  All professional education sessions will offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through IEEE.

Exhibits -- We will again have exhibits and product demonstrations by representatives of key avionics related industries. Multiple receptions in the exhibitor area will provide you with opportunities to network with other conference participants as well as the exhibitors.

Special Event - On Thursday evening, we will have a buffet dinner at the Fantasy of Flight—a 1940s Art Deco facility featuring more than 40 vintage aircraft, many of which have been restored and are operational. Join us and experience the history of aviation.

Guest Program – Guests accompanying attendees will have the opportunity to participate in daily activities during the main conference events.

Whether you are involved in avionics systems for manned or unmanned aircraft, space systems or air traffic management, join us and participate in the 28th DASC to help influence the direction of digital avionics and ground systems technology.