Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) - Trade association representing the nation's leading manufacturers of commercial, military, and business aircraft, helicopters, aircraft engines, missiles, spacecraft, and related components and equipment.
Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) - Part of the Department for Transport and is responsible for the investigation of civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents within the UK.
Air Transport Association (ATA) - Trade organization for the principal U.S. airlines. Advocates common industry positions before state and local governments.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) - Prominent aviation association providing member representation at the federal, state, and local levels and legal services, advice, and other assistance.
Airline Dispatchers Federation (ADF) - Enhancing the professional standards of airline dispatchers and the organizations within which they exercise operational control.
Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) - The largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 51,000 pilots at 30 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Founded in 1931, the Association is chartered by the AFL-CIO and the Canadian Labour Congress. Known internationally as US-ALPA, it is a member of the International Federation of Air Line Pilot Associations.
Allied Pilots Association (APA) - Serves as the certified collective bargaining agent for the 15,000 pilots who fly for American Airlines and US Airways. APA was founded in 1963 and is the largest independent pilots' union in the world.
American Association of Airport Executives - Professional organization for airport executives in the world, representing thousands of airport management personnel at public use airports nationwide.
California Pilots Association - Main objective is to save California's airports. California has lost more than 50 airports in the last 20 years.
Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air (Montreal, 28 May 1999) - Applies to all international carriage of persons, baggage or cargo performed by aircraft for reward. Among its most important provisions is Article 33, which permits a plaintiff to bring an action against a carrier for the death or injury of passengers in the territory of the State in which a passenger resides at the time of the accident.
Federation Aeronautique International (FAI) /World Air Sports Federation - FAI activities include the establishment of rules for the control and certification of world aeronautical and astronautical records. FAI establishes regulations for air sporting events which are organised by member countries throughout the world. FAI also promotes skill, proficiency and safety in aeronautics. FAI confers medals, diplomas and other awards to those who have contributed to the achievement of these aims as well as for work done in the restoration of old aircraft.
Flight Safety Foundation - International organization offering its views of aviation safety developments.
GlobalAir - Aviation resource where you can list an aircraft for sale, find an airplane for sale, find FBO fuel prices, complete aeronautical information, airport information and more.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) - A specialized agency of the United Nations focusing on aviation safety and security. It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency and regularity, as well as for aviation environmental protection. The organization serves as the forum for cooperation in all fields of civil aviation among its 191 Member States.
International Federation of Air Line Pilot's Associations (IFALPA) - Represents over 100,000 pilots and flight engineers in almost 100 countries world-wide. The mission of IFALPA is to be the global voice of professional pilots by providing representation, services and support in order to promote the highest level of aviation safety worldwide.
International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI) - A society formed to promote air safety by the exchange of ideas, experiences and information about aircraft accident investigations, and to otherwise aid in the advancement of flight safety; to promote technical advancement by providing professional education through lectures, displays and presentations and by the exchange of information for mutual development of improved investigations. Also see links page.
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) - NAA's primary mission has been the advancement of the art, sport, and science of aviation in the United States. NAA has a diverse membership and we encompass all areas of flight - from skydiving and models to commercial airlines and military fighters.
National Air Transportation Association (NATA) - National trade association representing the business interests of general aviation service companies on legislative and regulatory matters at the Federal level.
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) - Represents the interests of the business aviation community, including over 5,600 companies that own or operate general aviation aircraft or are involved in business aviation.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) - An independent U.S. Federal agency that investigates every civil aviation accident in the U.S. and significant accidents in the other modes of transportation, conducts special investigations and safety studies, and issues safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.
Popular Rotorcraft Association (PRA) - Started in 1962 by Igor Bensen, the inventor of the Bensen Gyrocopter. Since then it has grown to include members in over 80 countries, a group of people who love homebuilt rotorcraft, gyroplanes and helicopters that they build and fly themselves.
Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) - RTCA, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit corporation that develops consensus-based recommendations regarding communications, navigation, surveillance, and air traffic management (CNS/ATM) system issues. RTCA functions as a Federal Advisory Committee. Its recommendations are used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as the basis for policy, program, and regulatory decisions and by the private sector as the basis for development, investment and other business decisions. Member organizations represent all facets of the aviation community, including government organizations, airlines, airspace user and airport associations, labor unions, plus aviation service and equipment suppliers.
Regional Airline Association (RAA) - Represents U.S. regional airlines and the suppliers of products and services supporting the industry before the U.S. Congress, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation and other federal and state agencies.
Vintage Aircraft Association (VAA) - Brings together people from around the world who share an interest in the aircraft of yesterday. Since it was established in 1971, the association has been working to keep aviation history alive. Members are active restorers and enthusiasts working to keep vintage aircraft in the air and flying for the pleasure and education of themselves and the public at large.
Women in Aerospace (WIA) - Dedicated to expanding women's opportunities for leadership and increasing their visibility in the aerospace community.
Aviation Resources
AERADE - Aerospace and defence resources portal, including:
ConferenceBrief - A list of forthcoming aerospace and defence conferences and events.
Reports Archive - ncorporates more than ten thousand, historically significant, digitised reports from theAeronautical Research Council (the principal agency in Great Britain with a major output of reports on matters aeronautical, which existed from 1909-1979, and published reports until 1980) and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (chartered in 1915 and operational from 1917-1958).
Aerobatics (Wikipedia) - Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment and sport. Some helicopters, such as the MBB Bo 105, are capable of limited aerobatic maneuvers. Most aerobatic maneuvers involve rotation of the aircraft about its longitudinal (roll) axis or lateral (pitch) axis. Other maneuvers, such as a spin, displace the aircraft about its vertical (yaw) axis. Maneuvers are often combined to form a complete aerobatic sequence for entertainment or competition.
Airliners.net - Photo database where aviation photographers from all over the world display their work has over 70,000 photos. Aviation discussion forums, store, industry news and more.
AirNav - Provides free detailed aeronautical information on airports and other information to assist pilots in gathering information for flight planning. It's also useful for some hangar flying on those days when the weather or the checkbook keep you on the ground. Airport details include airport location, runway information, radio navigation aids and communication frequencies, FBO information, fuel prices, and a wealth of other information for pilots. Also, tools for airport search, fuel price search, and a fuel stop planner.
Airport ABCs: An Explanation of Airport Identifier Codes - From ABE (Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton, Pennsylvania) to ZRH (Zurich, Switzerland), airports around the world are universally known by a unique three-letter code: the "Location Identifier" in aviation-speak. It's obviously much easier for pilots, controllers, travel agents, frequent flyers, computers and baggage handlers to say and write ORD than the O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois - but how did this practice start, and why are some airport codes easy to understand (ABE and ZRH) while others seem to make absolutely no sense (ORD)?
Airport Database - Search this database by airport codes or airport names and cities, states, or countries.
AirportNet - American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) site provides up-to-the-minute airport information in the areas of: news, federal affairs, regulatory affairs, environmental affairs, training and certification, meetings and conferences, resources, and much, much more.
AirSafe - Airline safety information from the passenger perspective. Information on fatal airline events, passenger issues, personal safey, selected accidents, popular aircraft, and airlines.
Airshowreport - International airshow magazine by world's finest aviation photographers.
Airsports.tv - An Internet TV channel featuring all the best action from the world of competitive air sports, including the official World Championships, World Cups and other major international air sports competitions. This is the only site in the world that has exclusive access to the top competitions in air sports.
AMEX Airline Index (XAL) - Tracks the aggregate stock performance of major U.S. and overseas airlines.
Aviation Safety Network / Flight Safety Foundation - Providing up-to-date, complete and reliable authoritative information on airliner accidents and safety issues. Sources used as a basis for the accident database are aircraft production lists, ICAO Aircraft Accident Digests since 1952, and NTSB, TSB, etc. For a specific list of publications used, check out the references list.
Aviation Site Register (ASR) - Thousands of links to aviation sites worldwide including USAF, warbirds, airforce, aviation magazines, display teams, airshows and aircraft sites.
AviationExplorer - Detailed history and information on airlines, jets, airports, aerospace, aircraft for aviation enthusiasts.
Avionics Intelligence - Latest avionics and aircraft systems news, technology and products.
Boeing 737 Technical Site - Operational, mechanical and training notes; articles and photos contributed by 737 pilots and engineers from around the world.
Boeing Company - News, commercial airplanes, business aircraft, military programs, space systems, electronics, rotorcraft.
Also see Boeing's New Airplanes pages.
Bombardier - Manufactures state-of-the-art planes and trains; a global transportation company with 69 production and engineering sites in 23 countries, and a worldwide network of service centres. Bombardier is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
Convention on International Civil Aviation (also known as Chicago Convention) - Signed on 7 December 1944 by 52 States. Pending ratification of the Convention by 26 States, the Provisional International Civil Aviation Organization (PICAO) was established. It functioned from 6 June 1945 until 4 April 1947. By 5 March 1947 the 26th ratification was received. ICAO came into being on 4 April 1947. In October of the same year, ICAO became a specialized agency of the United Nations linked to Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
e-volo - Developer of the volocopter VC1, the first manned flight world-wide with a purely electrically powered, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL).
Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) - Started by NASA in fiscal year 1994 to develop unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology and miniaturization of science instruments and sensors that can be carried by those aircraft. The ERAST program is managed by NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
ESDU Validated Methods - Abstracts for design data and methods for aerospace, chemical, mechanical, process and structural engineering.
Executive Jet, Inc. - Offers resources to support the operation of a corporate fleet, maintain the responsibilities of a single business aircraft, or meet the needs/requirements of charter services.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - Aviation regulations, safety, FAQs, licenses, certificates, rules, directives, orders, advisory, circulars, temporary flight restrictions, record, title, insurance, accident, incident, investigation, news, programs, organizations, and more. Also see:
FlightAware - World's largest flight tracking data company and provides over 10,000 aircraft operators and service companies as well as over 12,000,000 passengers with global flight tracking solutions. FlightAware leverages data from air traffic control systems in over 55 countries, from FlightAware's network of ADS-B ground stations in over 150 countries, from Aireon space-based global ADS-B, and using global datalink (satellite/VHF) via every major provider, including ARINC, SITA, Satcom Direct, Garmin, Honeywell GDC, and UVdatalink. FlightAware provides live flight data, airport delays, fuel prices, airline operational tools, weather maps, flight planning, flight routes, oceanic tracks, and navigation charts, as well as aviation news and photos.
FlyersRights - Airline passenger organization, the only passenger organization that operates a toll free hotline for airline passengers, publishes a weekly newsletter, and operates a staffed office for advocacy in Washington, D.C. Represents airline passengers on the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee, regularly files rulemaking petitions and formal comments with the DOT and FAA to advance passenger rights and interests, and files court actions in defense of airline passengers.
GlobalAir - Aviation resource where you can list an aircraft for sale, find an airplane for sale, find FBO fuel prices, complete aeronautical information, airport information and much more.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) - A specialized agency of the United Nations, the ICAO was created in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world. It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency and regularity, as well as for aviation environmental protection. The Organization serves as the forum for cooperation in all fields of civil aviation among its 191 Member States.
Landings - Aviation news, stories, airplanes and pilots.
Multilateration - A navigation technique based on the measurement of the difference in distance to two stations at known locations that broadcast signals at known times. Multilateration is commonly used in civil and military surveillance applications to accurately locate an aircraft, vehicle or stationary emitter by measuring the "Time Difference of Arrival" (TDOA) of a signal from the emitter at three or more receiver sites. Also see the Multilateration and ADS-B site.
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center - The Dryden Flight Research Center, located at Edwards, California, is NASA's primary installation for flight research. Projects at Dryden over the past 50 years have lead to major advancements in the design and capabilities of many civilian and military aircraft. Also see: NASA Dryden Research Aircraft Multimedia Collection.
NASA FutureFlight Central - Provides a world class airport operations simulation facility to advance the safety, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of current and future airport procedures, design, and technologies.
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) - A U.S. federal agency founded on March 3, 1915 to undertake, promote, and institutionalize aeronautical research. On October 1, 1958 the agency was dissolved, and its assets and personnel transferred to the newly created National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Also see NACA Documents and NACA History.
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (Wright-Patterson AFB) - The oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world. The Museum uses chronological and subjective layouts to tell the story of aviation development from the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk to the Space Age. Exhibits include over 300 aircraft and missiles.
Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Office - The NOTAM office is the most up-to-date resource for information related to the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). This office disseminates information on unanticipated or temporary changes to components of or hazards in the NAS until the associated charts and related publications have been amended.
NTSB Accident Database & Synopses - Contains information from 1962 and later about civil aviation accidents and selected incidents within the United States, its territories and possessions, and in international waters. Generally, a preliminary report is available online within a few days of an accident. Factual information is added when available, and when the investigation is completed, the preliminary report is replaced with a final description of the accident and its probable cause. Full narrative descriptions may not be available for dates before 1993, cases under revision, or where NTSB did not have primary investigative responsibility.
PlaneBusiness - Airline industry business and financial site.
PlaneCrashInfo - This accident database includes all known civil aviation accidents of scheduled passenger and unscheduled passenger flights which resulted in at least one fatality and all military aviation accidents which resulted in 50 or more fatalities. Some accidents with fewer or no fatalities or of private aircraft have been included when they are of noteworthy interest, such as the death of a famous person.
Planemad - Aviation facts, production lists, airline fleets, aircraft types.
SeeAndAvoid - Originally created by the Air National Guard Aviation Safety Division, this portal is now funded by the Defense Safety Oversight Council and includes all military services. This portal is targeting two user groups. The first group is General Aviation (GA) Pilots, who we encourage to include SeeAndAvoid.org as part of their flight planning. From weather to Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) to flight planning, pilots in general and civilian pilots in particular, use the Internet to get their most important flight safety information. The second group targeted are the military safety officers at all military bases. This portal site provides every participating DoD flying base in the U.S. with the opportunity to create a web-based MACA educational and public outreach program. This web-based MACA program, intended primarily for an audience of 750,000 civil pilots, is modeled on centralized support, with decentralized execution. This website integrates and links with related sites such as FAA Special Use Airspace, AOPA's Air Safety Foundation, and the new FAA MADE (military airspace deconfliction) program.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM) - Maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. It is also a vital center for research into the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM) Directory of Airplanes - 34,000 individual aircraft and 6,600 aircraft manufacturer records comprise this authority listing, which is an online expansion of The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Directory of Airplanes, Their Designers and Manufacturers.
U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) - Conducts research and development on health hazards of Army aviation, tactical combat vehicles, selected weapons systems, and airborne operations. Assesses the health hazards from noise, acceleration, impact, and visual demands of these systems and defines measures to offset hazards. Assesses stress and fatigue in personal operating aviation systems and develops countermeasures.
UAV Forum - Coverage of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
United (United Continental Holdings, Inc.) - United Airlines and United Express operate an average of 5,341 flights a day to more than 360 airports across six continents. In 2012, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 140 million customers. World's most comprehensive global route network, including world-class international gateways to Asia and Australia, Europe, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East with non-stop or one-stop service from virtually anywhere in the United States.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV or Drones) - A number of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) presently exist, both domestically and internationally. Their payload weight carrying capability, their accommodations (volume, environment), their mission profile (altitude, range, duration) and their command, control and data acquisition capabilities vary significantly. Routine civil access to these various UAV assets is in an embryonic state and is only just now emerging. Some resources:
Vintage Aircraft Co. - Take a trip back in time in restored vintage airplanes. Fly over world renowned vineyards and majestic Pacific Coast.
WebTrak - Using WebTrak you can track the flight activity into and out of selected airports, along with information about each aircraft.
X-Planes Data Site - X stands for eXperimental, and experimentation is the single purpose of the X-planes.
Aviation Zines
Air & Space Power Chronicles - Created by the staff at Air & Space Power Journal. Designed to provide an avenue for airmen to become knowledgeable about issues of professional development. You'll find past and present Air & Space Power Journal, Aerospace Power Journal, and Airpower Journal articles on-line in addition to previously unpublished articles, essays, and op-ed pieces, book reviews, aviation images, and links to other Web sites.
KWSnet is an Internet subject directory providing special attention to U.S. national and international news, the arts, computing, culture, environment, law, literature, media, politics, science and technology. Based in San Francisco, California, KWSnet contains over 125,000 annotated links to resources worldwide. Use Search KWSnet, located at the top of each page, to search within this site. Use Ctrl-F (Windows) or ⌘-F (Mac) to search within individual pages.
KWSnet's YouTube Channel Playlist provides recommended video from artists, journalists, and political activists worldwide.
KWSnet's Zotero Library provides news articles as well as primary and secondary sources and bibliographic information for your research. More information on Zotero, a powerful, easy-to-use research tool, can be found at its site. Also, and highly recommended, subscribe to RSS content for latest updates.
KWSnet is completely non-commercial. It has no commercial objective or emphasis. Instead, it is intended for educational purposes, research, and personal use. It is updated regularly.
KWSnet is IPv6 enabled, HTTPS deployed, and fully HTML5 compliant.
KWSnet may be contacted via email with any comments, suggestions or link submissions. KWSnet is designed and maintained, in its entirety, by Kirk W. Smith.
