Aeronautics advisory group begin discussions on achieving the 2020 vision
Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin welcomed members of the new Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE) at the Paris air show on 19 June, who were meeting for the first time to discuss making Europe a global leader in aeronautics without ignoring society's needs and concerns. In its January 2001 report, 'European Aeronautics: A Vision for 2020', the group of personalities chaired by Commissioner Busquin set out a number of recommendations for fulfilling Europe's goal of becoming a global leader in the field of aeronautics, whilst serving society's needs better. Among its conclusions, the group stressed the needs for a new advisory council, whose goal would be to develop and implement a strategic approach to European aeronautics research. ACARE is composed of some 30 members, including representatives from Member States, the Commission and industry. The group's primary mission is to promote a strategic research agenda (SRA), which will be used as a guide in the planning of national and EU research programmes. ACARE will meet at least twice a year in order to update the SRA and will also make operational recommendations for implementing the SRA. The first results of the group's work will be presented in a year's time. ACARE's sphere of responsibility also involves evaluating the results and benefits of the SRA for Member States, the Commission and other players, recommending measures for optimising the use of existing research infrastructure and achieving cost effective investments and recommending measures for improving education policies to attract the scientists and engineers needed in the sector. The group will also implement a communications strategy for promoting awareness of the SRA and disseminating information on research. Members of ACARE include Walter Kröll, chairman of DLR, François Lureau, CEO of Thales Aerospace, Phil Ruffles, director of engineering and technology at Rolls Royce, Joachim Szodruch, director of EADS Airbus and Victor Aguado, director general of Eurocontrol. The SRA should lay the path to achieving the 2020 Vision. Goals identified in the 2020 report including making Europe the recognised world leader in aeronautics through collaboration, to be achieved through the creation of a common structure for research and technological development. The response to issues of public interest, such as noise reduction, emission reduction, travel delays and safer air transport were also a key element in the 2020 Vision.