LiveChat Roundup - May 17, 2012

By Jim Gerard, INSPIRE Education Specialist, KSC , FL

How crowded are our skies? Take a look at this video that shows a 24 hour period of air traffic, then come back to the blog.

From the looks of the video, it is surprising we don't see air collisions every day! But two factors to remember: this is a two dimension representation of a three dimensional space, so aircraft fly over and under one another. A second factor is each aircraft indicator is the length of Rhode Island! There is much more room between aircraft than indicated. Never the less, our airspace is considered 'full'.

This was the subject of Langley Research Center's Guy Kemmerly, and aeronautical engineer working on Airspace Systems. 36 Online Community members were on hand to hear Mr. Kemmerly talk about the dangers of crowded airspace and how to relieve it. From larger, faster aircraft that fly from hub to hub, to computerized air traffic control allow smaller distance between planes, Mr. Kemmerly worked his way to goal of having "a plane in every garage". You can hear the whole presentation in the LiveChat Archives!

Next week, we hear what kind of aircraft may be parked in every garage when Paul Krass talk to us about Personal Air Transport. And, the following week, a special LiveChat to get you ready for the Transit of Venus! Sign up for both chats today on the Discussion Board!