Who We Are

AIAA
AIAA is the largest professional and technical society, principal voice, and information resource devoted to the progress of engineering and science in aviation and space For over 65 years, the AIAA has served as the principal society of the aerospace engineer and scientist.

AIAA Vision and Mission Statement
AIAA is the world’s leading professional society in the broad areas of aeronautics and astronautics, and the preeminent worldwide aerospace information source.

AIAA in Brief
Formed in 1963 through a merger of the American Rocket Society (1930) and the Institute of Aerospace Sciences (1932), the purpose was, and still is, “to advance the arts, sciences, and technology of aeronautics and astronautics, and to promote the professionalism of those engaged in these pursuits.”

Virtually every Achievement in Modern American Flight since 1963 has been made by an AIAA Member.

  • Approximately 30,000 Professional Members in 65 Sections
  • Over 5,500 Student Members in 145 Student Branches
  • Domestic and International Corporate Members totaling 56
  • Over 3,000 Professional Members Residing in Foreign Countries

Geographical RegionsAIAA Geographical Regions

Members By Region
AIAA Members By Region
Regions and Sections
The public website at www.aiaa.org includes this link, http://www.aiaa.org/RegionSectionMap.aspx?id=14958, which shows all 7 Regions, not just the 6 Regions above. Region 7 (also written using Roman numerals as Region VII) is the International Region of AIAA, all places outside of the USA. That web page includes the map below, which is an interactive map on that web page. Here is an excerpt from the text from that web page, copied on June 18, 2017: “In AIAA, local sections are where the action begins. We have 58 sections throughout the United States and overseas organized into seven AIAA Regions. Each section offers technical programs and activities tailored to local aerospace professionals, students and educators.”
Above: An AIAA Regions map from the public part of the AIAA website showing Regions 1 through 7, not just 1 through 6. Downloaded June 18, 2017. (Click to zoom.)

Above: An AIAA Regions map from the public part of the AIAA website (www.aiaa.org) showing Regions 1 through 7, not just 1 through 6. Downloaded June 18, 2017.

US Aerospace in Brief

Aerospace

    • Employs some 795,000 people, this creates jobs for another 2 million
    • Technology – generated a multiplying effect by enhancing and creating jobs
    • Largest contributor – U.S. balance of trade (manufactured goods sector)
      • Net annual contribution of more than $24 billion
    • Fiscal Year 1998
      • NASA – 28% toward nondefense R&D, amounts to $9.6 billion
      • DoD – 91% toward defense-related R&D, amounts to $36.8 billion
    • NASA and DoD – $2.15 billion toward research in colleges and universities

How Aerospace Contributes

  • Aerospace is a cornerstone of National Defense
  • Industry contributes to Aerospace Industrial Research and Development (IR&D)
    • $5.5 billion annually (from research and technology initiated by Fed. Gov.)
  • Aeronautical research – helped create safe, affordable air transportation system
  • Space research has contributed to enhanced knowledge
  • Technology generated by aerospace has changed our lives for the better
  • Aerospace has improved the quality of life and the prosperity of every American

AIAA is the preeminent worldwide aerospace information source

  • 66 technical committees
  • Publications
    • Aerospace America
    • Six archival technical journals
    • Conference papers and proceedings
    • Audiovisual information packages
    • Variety of career-related educational materials
  • Sponsors 70 technical conferences, seminars, and short courses per year
    • Also, cosponsors several with societies from the U.S. and abroad
  • Rigorous public policy program and works with other societies and governments
  • AIAA Student Journal
  • Position papers
  • Two book series
  • Technology assessments

AIAA Mission

    Serve the Profession and Benefit the Individual Members and Member Institutions of aviation and space professionals

  • Provide forums for information flow and creative exchange
  • Lead a strong and proactive international focus
  • Continue a world-class technical information and publications service
  • Bestow honors and awards that recognize exemplary accomplishments
  • Offer career development and continuing education
  • Support the educational process that brings into being future generations
  • Provide a voice for the professional community and inform the public
  • Maintain dynamic programs in the local sections
  • Expand the horizons of the Institute

AIAA Objectives

  • Strengthen membership and aerospace community participation
  • Better serve nontraditional but rapidly growing technologies
  • Additional emphasis on public policy programs that support and promote aerospace contributions to the nation
  • Improve the quality and availability of resident aerospace educational programs

AIAA – Houston Section

  • Approximately 800 members
  • 15 Technical Committees
  • Executive Council Responsible for Section Activities
    • 6 Elected Officers
    • 10 Elected Councilors
    • Technical Committee Chairs (appointed)
    • 13 Operations Officers (appointed)
  • Web Site http://www.aiaahouston.org

Houston Section Membership

AIAA Houston Section Members