Despite having received millions of dollars in federal government funding, NASA’s small aircraft transportation system (SATS) has been described as “unpromising” by the National Academy of Sciences, which was asked by NASA to review the concept.
NASA’s goals were to “revolutionize aviation” by enabling people “to move, faster and farther, anytime, anywhere” and reduce intercity doorstep-to-destination transportation time by 50 percent in 10 years and 67 percent in 25 years.
The agency envisioned advanced small aircraft flown routinely between the nation’s GA airports while transporting individuals, families and groups of business travelers.
NASA anticipated major advances in avionics, engines, airframes, flight control, manufacturing, com- munications and navigation systems and their application to thousands of small fixed-wing aircraft over the next several decades. It described these advanced aircraft as being safer and easier to operate and much more comfortable, reliable and affordable than current general aviation aircraft.
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