Our nation’s transportation infrastructure is the driving force behind urban and economic development. Throughout history, centers of economic activity have flourished with the evolution of modes of travel -- first around seaports, then rivers and canals, followed by railroads and the interstate highway system. In the 21st century, the opportunity is emerging for democratized travel in three-dimensional air space, far beyond the constraints of the existing hub-and-spoke airport and interstate highway system. NASA, in partnership with the FAA and the National Consortium for Aviation Mobility (NCAM), is developing the technology for aircraft to utilize over 3,000 airports that have been excluded and underutilized due to the lack of sophisticated and costly infrastructure and instrument landing systems. Indiana has 60 of these underutilized airports.

One of the key elements in business recruitment and retention is affordable direct air transportation. If your community has a general aviation airport, as opposed to a commercial airport with scheduled air service, it is highly likely that affordable air service will become a reality at your local airport once the Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) is implemented. Small airports, with industries located near by, will drive the next major wave of economic activity in transportation.

The Indiana SATS Consortium is developing an effective methodology to measure the economic impact of small airports and the role of aviation in economic development. It should ultimately demonstrate that communities which promote their small airports and protect them from incompatible land uses are more prosperous than communities that don’t support their small airports.

SATS will unleash the full potential of the Information Age’s effect on the standard of living and quality of life by distributing economic opportunities in more equitable ways throughout the nation’s smaller and rural communities. The research completed by the Indiana SATS Consortium will help Indiana in its efforts to increase business recruitment, retention and expansion, resulting in more jobs and job security.