Aeronautics research gets a boost
The project 'Aeronautical stakeholders tools for the European research agenda 3' (Astera 3) was established to support the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE). It aimed specifically to help ACARE realise the goal of its 2001 report, 'European aeronautics: A vision for 2020'. Astera 3 sought to stimulate creative thinking and articulate the vision for enhanced innovation. This strategic thinking would be required to prepare a new vision and new Strategic Research Agenda (SRA), besides intense planning, control, reporting and technical coordination. To achieve its objectives the project team collected vital data on certification in aviation, supply chain, safety, airport infrastructure, capacity and innovation, as well as European collaboration regarding these issues. It then undertook an in-depth analysis of the data and formulated conclusions to help elaborate the SRA. This led to the establishment of important recommendations that were particularly designed to support safety, airport infrastructures and innovation. They can be used as guidelines for developing and implementing research in aviation. Armed with the data and recommendations, the project team oversaw the participation of ACARE in several important aeronautics workshops. It promoted public awareness regarding the project's objectives and established a project website, in addition to supporting ACARE working groups. Lastly, many of the initiatives that were begun in Astera 2 were finalised and put into operation during Astera 3. This included an awareness programme and an 'out of the box' project designed to promote research. Astera 3 thus succeeded in guaranteeing the continuity of previous initiatives and strengthened aeronautics in Europe considerably.
