Advancing Aircraft Wake Turbulence Research to Achieve Aviation Capacity and Safety Objectives
Steven Lang, director of the Center for Air Traffic Systems and Operations at Volpe, The National Transportation Systems Center, spoke on the topic of "Advancing Aircraft Wake Turbulence Research to Achieve Aviation Capacity and Safety Objectives."
For over 40 years, Volpe, in support of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has measured and analyzed wake turbulence, recommending adjustments to aviation standards to improve air traffic safety and capacity.
About the Speaker
Steven Lang is the director of the Center for Air Traffic Systems and Operations at Volpe. He has more than 30 years of experience in air traffic control and air traffic management, in both the United States Air Force and the FAA.
Before coming to Volpe, Lang managed the FAA's Wake Turbulence Research Program. The program is focused on delivering safe changes to air traffic operations that improve the capacity and efficiency of the National Airspace System. Considerable wake turbulence work is required in support of the FAA's NextGen solutions.
Lang also helped change the National Standards to allow the use of Closely Spaced Parallel Runway Operations in Instrument Meteorological Conditions at six airports. He received an award from the Secretary of Transportation and from the FAA Administrator for this work.
Before coming to FAA Headquarters in Washington, Lang spent time at St. Louis Tower and Approach Control, where he held many positions, including air traffic controller, front line manager, traffic management officer, and operations manager.
Lang holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Bellevue University.
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