Hughes Aerospace Corp. is deeply saddened by the passing of David Frame, airspace engineer and aviation pioneer. He was 78.
Frame, who died Feb. 28, 2023, began his 38-year career with the FAA in October 1967, retiring in 2006 as the FAA support manager, traffic management, Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center. He was a pioneer in the ADS-B network in the Gulf of Mexico; the Global Communications, Navigation and Surveillance System; the VHF Extended Range Network; and the Safe Flight 21 Network.
Selected as the air traffic coordinator for the City of Houston’s Super Bowl XXXVIII, in February 2004, Frame planned a special traffic management program that handled record air traffic levels and was recognized for his safe, efficient operation. In November 2004, he was the recipient of The David J. Hurley Memorial Award for outstanding achievement or contribution in the field of aviation traffic management.
At the time of his death, Frame was Hughes Aerospace’s subject matter expert in air traffic engineering, working on a wide variety of NextGen implementation projects involving performance-based navigation (PBN). He assisted with the implementation of countless cutting-edge navigation procedures at airports and heliports, including most recently San Bernardino International Airport (KSBD). Frame traveled throughout the world with Hughes, including cohosting the first PBN Workshop with the US Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam.
“David’s passing is felt by all of us. He was both extraordinarily knowledgeable and a remarkable gentleman,” says Hughes President Chris Baur. “He was part of the Hughes family for 15 years, providing countless safety improvements throughout his exceptional career in government and industry.”
