The Hastac project addressed the challenge of ensuring that, irrespective of the growth of air traffic, air transportation will be safer. Hastac contributed to one of the major challenges identified in the Strategic Research Agenda for European aeronautics. Referring to incidents like September 11, the SAS plane in Milan Airport and the in-air crash at Bodensee, the European avionics industry has focused on development programmes that improve this type of safety.
Hastac will contribute to improved safety in different flight situations with:
- on-board technologies for prevention of controlled flight into terrain;
- technologies enabling a full and permanent automatic approach and landing in all weather;
- on-board technologies for in-flight and on-ground collision avoidance novel concepts;
- techniques enabling the development of improved aviation safety metrics.
The Hastac consortium has developed more than 800 sensors in 40 different versions, to identify the potential causes for drift mechanisms. The knowledge established is used to make the ideal design for the new SP83 pressure sensor, which is the key element in the TP4000 transducer.
In addition, the Hastac project has resulted in major know-how and competence in the micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) pressure sensor field of the industry. For example:
1. Increased knowledge within all the Hastac project partners of silicon MEMS structures for avionic use.
2. The basic silicon sensing structures may be used in, or modified to, other demanding aerospace applications.
3. The new Memscap SP83/TP4000 barometric pressure sensor will generate more business and will give aircrafts better accuracy in altitude monitoring.
4. Sintef has become an alternative source for avionic grade MEMS wafers.
5. Microelectronica in Romania has become an alternative source for assembly of aerospace grade sensors.
6. The TP4000 transducer will be a better alternative than current available state-of-the artunits.
7. Penny & Giles air data computer will be one of the most accurate in the market.
The Hastac project will have a significant impact on the avionic industry. This project will allow manufacturer of altimetry equipment, air Data computers, auto pilot systems and encoding altimeter transponders to achieve better accuracy and stability in their final system products. The ADS-B3 automated air traffic control system that will be implemented in the near future will also benefit from the results from the Hastac project. It is highly likely that parts and technology developed in this project will be embedded in the next generation airliners, regional aircrafts and in general aviation.
Research in further enhancement of silicon MEMS structures for altimetry systems will take place. The FP7 project Hisvesta will continue on the research path from Hastac, to improve functionality even more, and to exploit the usage of the technology also into other segments in aeronautics and transport in general.