ASD Secretary General Delivers Closing Speech at Aerodays 2015
The Secretary General of the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), Mr. Jan Pie, today delivered the closing speech at the 7th European Aeronautics Days conference, Aerodays2015, in London. Aerodays is the European flagship event in aviation research and innovation which takes place once, during each EU Research Framework Programme. The three day conference included technical sessions, research and technology showcases and a host of keynote addresses from Aviation CEOs, European Commissioners, UK Ministers and Heads of key Agencies.
In a speech entitled "Aviation in Europe - Where Do We Stand and Where We Need to Go", Mr. Pie highlighted the vital role of research and innovation in ensuring the continued success and competitiveness of the European aerospace manufacturing industry: "The European civil aerospace manufacturing industry invests around 7 billion Euro per annum in Research and Development (R&D). European industry players are main partners in flagship EU programmes including Clean Sky and SESAR. These collective efforts all contribute towards meeting European and global environmental targets."
Mr. Pie cited a range of examples of innovative technologies being developed by ASD’s member companies such as new aircraft engines; biofuels; new aircraft materials; new air traffic management systems; and green taxi technologies, which all will contribute to European industry achieving the goals defined in Flightpath2050.
Mr. Pie also highlighted the importance of safety in this industry and emphasised that "EASA needs to be equipped with efficient working methods and sufficient financial means to carry out its certification tasks and to support industry projects at global level as it performs a crucial role in getting European aircraft products to the global market."
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Pie stressed that "in order for European industry to continue to be a world class leader in this sector, continued investment in R&D is essential. In particular European flagship programmes, such as Clean Sky and SESAR should continue to receive priority for EU funding."