Vision 2020

In 2001, the report of the Group of Personalities "European Aeronautics: A vision for 2020" pioneered an integrated vision of the European Air Transport System (ATS) for the next 20 years. It established, as its top-level objectives, the need to respond to society's needs and to secure European leadership in the aeronautics field.

Society’s needs embrace the whole range of benefits that all citizens of Europe expect of the air transport industry now and in the future. These benefits are direct, as in the quality and price of travel, and indirect, as in the preservation of security and safety in a more global world. They encompass the personal needs of travellers and the collective needs of non-travellers who want to live in quiet, pollution-free neighbourhoods.

The report also recommended the creation of the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE), the first European Technology Platform, which produced a set of strategic research objectives (SRA1) in 2002 and a second updated edition (SRA-2) in 2004.

Strategic Reserch Agenda (SRA) 

SRA-1 is built around 5 Challenges for technology development. It has been used as a reference guide for a number of national and institutional bodies for establishing their research programmes.

SRA-2 describes 6 High Level Target Concepts (HLTCs) and their associated technologies with respect to different socio-economic scenario. Each HLTC stresses a particular aspect of the Air Transport System.

Clean Sky will contribute to meeting two of the ACARE HLTCs :

• Ultra Green Air Transport System, i.e. reducing the impact of air transport on the environment.
• Highly cost efficient Air Transport System: Through innovative technological developments, Clean Sky will contribute to answering society's needs and securing European leadership in aeronautics.

For more information, visit ACARE website www.acare4europe.org.

The reduction of the impact of ATS on environment is a major challenge and a whole section of the SRA presents the research strategy in this field highlighting the need for breakthroughs. Addressing the issues of noise, local air pollution and contribution to climate change is of paramount importance to satisfy the needs of European citizens. Responding to environmental concerns while enhancing competitiveness is a prerequisite in today's world to ensuring the development of air transport.

Reduce CO2 by 50% per passenger kilometre

CO2 is a significant contributor to global warming and is directly related to fuel burn. The target of a 50% reduction in CO2 has been broken down by sector contribution: 20 to 25% due to aircraft improvement, 15 to 20 % due to the reduction of engine Specific Fuel Consumption, 5 to 10 % due to operational improvements.

For more information, visit the ACARE website www.acare4europe.org.

• Reduce perceived noise to one half of current average levels

Despite significant technology improvements over the past twenty years, aircraft noise has become a major problem in Europe, under the pressure of Airport neighbourhood communities and increased awareness of impact of noise on public health.

• Reduce NOx emissions by 80%

NOx emissions are both a source of local pollution and contribute to the global greenhouse effect. Combustor technology improvements represent the key research area in this respect.

• Minimise negative industrial impact during manufacture, maintenance, overhaul, repair and disposal

The most obvious impact of an aircraft on the environment is during its operational life. A more comprehensive approach to evaluating this impact should also take into consideration also the total aircraft life cycle from production to recycling. This includes the development of non-toxic and non-polluting materials and processes.