Ready to fly

Europe’s aeronautics industry is itching to start work on the next generation of aircraft, and Clean Sky could help them get there, writes Anthony Fletcher

This joint technology initiative has been three years in the making. While no one could accuse the commission of rushing into the project, industry leaders eager to get off the ground generally agree that this initiative could really put the EU in the pilot seat when it comes to developing the next generation of aircraft.

Speaking at the launch of Clean Sky in Brussels, Ake Svensson, president of aerospace and defence industries association of Europe (ASD), portrayed it as a key opportunity. While accepting that industry had a responsibility to clean up its act, he emphasised that the environment was already one of the sector’s priorities.

“Aviation accounts for about three per cent of manmade emissions,” he said.  “To some extent this has been the price of progress – 2.2bn passengers fly annually, and aviation accounts for 32m jobs worldwide. Aviation accounts for eight per cent of global GDP. In many cases there is no practical alternative to flying. But three per cent is still a problem that we have to address. This is a non-acceptable footprint. However, I am proud to be part of an industry that has grown at such a pace, and that recognises when challenges arise. We are not the problem; we are part of the solution.”

Svensson said there was clearly room for improvement. He pointed out that 18 per cent of fuel is currently wasted, an issue that has cost benefit as well as environmental implications. “Aeronautics is well-suited to handle challenges because we have a good track record,” he said. “Although passenger numbers are growing at five to six per cent, the carbon rate is only growing at half of that. But that is still not enough, and the environmental call is clear.”

He echoed research commissioner Janez Potocnik’s belief that Clean Sky is breaking new ground in forming innovative partnerships. “Historically this industry has put money into research and development, but this has usually been driven by technological objectives, or even fascination for its own sake,” he said. “Previously this was all about taking aircraft from A to B in the most efficient way possible. “But now that the environment is on the political agenda, collaboration is the only way to achieve the technological leaps required. This JTI is one step on the ladder.”

Marc Ventre, chairman of the Clean Sky provisional executive committee (PEC) and CEO of the aerospace propulsion division of Safran, added that the aerospace industry is aware of its environmental responsibilities, and that Clean Sky would “paving the way for a new major step in this ongoing process”.

“We are fully committed to meeting these very ambitious goals,” he told delegates at the JTI launch. “We are anxious to start activities. The new generation of aircraft will come into operation towards the end of next decade. The time to start working is now.”

Research will also play its part. Fred Abbink, co-chair of the European research establishments in aeronautics (EREA), pointed out that 15 research institutes are already established as part of the JTI. “We have a role to play,” he said. “We are all committed to contributing to the development of new technologies and to realising a competitive EU aeronautics industry.”