The central task of a 1980 workshop on the role of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in aeronautics was to examine the relationship of NASA's research capabilities to the state of U.S. aviation and to make recommendations about NASA's future role in aeronautics. Following a brief introduction, the Overview Panel on Aeronautical Research considered aeronautical research related to: (1) Turbulence; (2) Noise; (3) Supercritical Aerodynamics; (4) Computational Aerodynamics; (5) Fuels; (6) High Temperature Materials; (7) Composite Materials; (8) Single Crystal Components; (9) Powder Metallurgy; (10) Flight Controls; (11) NASA Structural Analysis (NASTRAN) Program; (12) Lubricants; and (13) Composites. Conclusions, recommendations, and definitions of roles and disciplines in an appendix are also included. (Author/DS)