Enabling research in EU aeronautics industry To maintain its competitiveness, the aeronautics industry needs to strengthen policy on research. An EU initiative sought to boost aviation research and development (R&D) mechanisms across the region. Industrial Technologies © Thinkstock Aviation products have some of the longest product life cycles, but the relevant economic, social and political environments often change significantly during the course of their use. For this reason, more intensive collaborative research efforts in the field of air transport are required. The EU-funded 'Air transport net (AirTN)' (AIRTN) project set out to strengthen the European Research Area (ERA) within the framework of the Advisory Council for Aviation Research and Innovation in Europe's (ACARE) Strategic Research Agenda (SRA). A major aim was to continue the network established under previous projects and expand it to create a platform of communication between national organisations and governmental institutions, supporting research and innovation in aeronautics and air transport. Project members also implemented joint activities and boosted funding for transnational research. These efforts were intended to increase efficiency and synergy, and also help avoid duplication of aviation research performed at European, national and regional levels. Austria, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Sweden participated in one or both calls for research proposals that were launched in 2012 and 2013 to exchange information on national programmes and on their design and thematic priorities. An overview of current aeronautics programmes in Europe was also prepared to identify possible research topics for joint activities. About 80 experts were listed for 14 thematic topics. AIRTN and ACARE also collaborated to establish an independent experts group (IEG). This group was tasked with defining criteria for identifying strategic and important aerospace research infrastructures and funding opportunities in Europe. An updated catalogue of aeronautical research infrastructures in various European countries was produced that incorporates the recommendations of the IEG. Thematic workshops were organised on topics such as education, aviation safety, greening and alternative fuels. By creating opportunities for transnational collaboration to establish state-of-the-art R&D, AIRTN laid the groundwork for an innovative European aeronautics industry. Keywords Aeronautics, aviation research, air transport, innovation, aerospace research
