Flagship aviation conference Aerodays2015 is underway: Exploring the future of flight
- Aerodays2015 will showcase the best in aviation research and innovation from across Europe
- UK to host flagship conference for the first time
- Leading industry figures, MPs, MEPs and EU commissioners to speak
This week marks the start of Aerodays2015, an EU Commission event that brings together experts, industry leaders and policy makers from around the world to focus on research and innovation within aviation.
This is the first time the UK has won the opportunity to host Aerodays, and a number of high-profile speakers will outline their vision for the future of this strategically important industry. CEO of Rolls-Royce, Warren East is to make his first public speech, he will be joined by Vice President & General Manager of Bombardier, Michael Ryan; Vice President of Boeing, Mike Sinnett, and EU Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc.
Business Minister Anna Soubry, who is to give a closing address, said: “I am delighted that the UK is hosting the 7th Aerodays event, the European flagship event for research and innovation in aerospace.
“The sector has always led the way in ground-breaking research: New ideas, technologies, products and processes developed by the industry are helping aircraft become ever more efficient, safer and greener – as well as benefitting many other sectors. This is a unique opportunity to come together and share the achievements from collaborative research and innovation programmes and discuss future research activity.”
Aerodays2015 has been organised by the UK’s aviation trade body ADS Group. CEO of ADS, Paul Everitt said: “I am delighted to welcome the aviation and aerospace world to London for Aerodays2015. The discussions this week will shape the future of aviation for European citizens, industry and policy makers.
“Demand for air travel continues to increase, which is good news for the UK economy and the high-value employment it generates.
“Innovation is essential for the future of our industry. We must deliver safe, secure and sustainable travel at a price our customers can afford. Aerodays2015 promises to be a hugely exciting forum that will capture the interest and imagination of researchers, engineers and officials from across Europe.”
Aerodays was first held in 1991, covering research projects funded by the Framework Programme of the EU. A number of the advanced technologies presented at that first conference in Brussels have been developed into state-of-the-art innovations on aircraft - including the Airbus A380 - or are now providing solutions to aviation challenges (see notes to editors for details).
In addition to the keynote speakers, there will be more than 50 technical sessions where experts will present on a range of subjects including:
The airport of 2050How the future of aviation will pass through brain controlled aircraftPaving the way for next generation aircraft and engines.
As well as technical and plenary sessions, there will be an exhibition featuring collaborative EU projects that involve UK organisations, including 15 universities. Cranfield University for example has worked as part of an EU-wide programme to address issues related to de-icing aircraft.
Notes to editors
Details on technology and innovations presented in 1991
LOWNOX – Low Emission Combustor Technology
The project addressed emission reduction technologies for future civil aero-engines in particular on NOx. Modern aero-engines in operation (e.g. the popular CFM 56-7B) use these technologies resulting from LOWNOW and its follow-on projects LOWNOX II and III.
ASANCA – Advanced Study for Active Noise Control in Aircraft
The project assessed methods for active noise control by anti-noise cancelling the interior noise of propeller driven airliners. Modern propeller driven passenger aircraft (e. g. SAAB 2000) use this technology to reduce the noise in the passenger cabin, especially near to the propellers.
All Electric Aircraft Flight Control Actuation
The project addressed technologies for an electrically powered primary flight control actuation system, including the most promising electro-hydrostatic actuator (EHA). The EHA technology is used today in the largest civil airliner, the Airbus A380.
ELFIN – Investigation of Laminar Flow Technology
This project demonstrated the potential of drag reduction – that means of fuel burnt – by the laminar flow technologies on the airframe (wing, empennage) in flight tests and large wind tunnel experiments.
In the view of the need for CO2 reduction for aviation, Airbus and Boeing work on the application of this largest single technology of drag reduction for their newest generation of airliners (A350, B787 Dreamliner).
Within Clean Sky a large validation flight test for laminar flow will be performed in 2017 using an Airbus A340 as test aircraft.