Growing global aviation research
The aviation industry is one of the major contributors to global carbon dioxide emissions. The International Forum for Aviation Research (IFAR) was established in 2010 to address this growing problem by supporting research into sustainability in aviation. IFARS (International Forum for Aviation Research Support Action) was a project established to help IFAR grow and improve its services to the international aviation research community. IFAR currently includes 26 aviation research organisations from around the world, representing more than 40 000 researchers globally. The major outcome of IFARS was a framework document to guide aviation research in the coming years. To create this, members collected lists of existing goals and objectives of member organisations, as well as a 'wish list' of future technologies and concepts. In particular, this wish list focused on two topics: air traffic service efficiency and noise. IFARS highlighted current research in these topics and identified directions for future technological innovation. These lists also included which IFAR members are working on which topics, and where in the world this research is taking place. This information is all publicly available on the IFAR website, along with a database of IFAR PhD researchers. Other project activities focused on coordinating three annual IFAR summits, bringing together Forum members to discuss the future of aviation and improve the framework document. The work of IFARS will contribute to environmentally friendly aviation practices around the world.
Keywords
Aviation research, International Forum for Aviation Research, air traffic, technological innovation
