Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board & Committee on Aeronautics Research and Technology for Vision 2050 
Securing the Future of U.S. Air Transportation [PDF ebook] 
A System in Peril

As recently as the summer of 2001, many travelers weredreading air transportation because of extensive delays associated with undercapacity of the system. That all changed on 9/11, and demand for air transportation has not yet returned to peak levels. Most U.S. airlines continue to struggle for survival, and some have filed for bankruptcy. The situation makes it difficult to argue that strong action is urgently needed to avert a crisis of undercapacity in the air transportation system. This report assesses the visions and goals for U.S. civil aviation and technology goals for the year 2050.