Overview
As was the case with previous Aeronautics Days, the Fifth Community Aeronautics Days 2006 addressed the technological and industrial development of the European Aeronautics sector providing a high-level, future oriented perspective coming from politics, the industry and the research community, in response to Europe's social needs and expectations. Moreover, the Conference offered a unique forum for government officials, decision makers, managers, researchers, engineers and journalists from all over Europe to discuss and reflect on an RTD roadmap for aeronautics in line with the concept and objectives of the European Research Area.
On 1 May 2004 the EU expanded with ten new members. One of the main issues of the enlargement process was to foster the integration of the New Member States into the social, economic and political life in Europe. The strategic objective of the AERODAYS-06 conference was to make a significant contribution for reaching this goal by organising the Fifth Community Aeronautics Days in Vienna, Austria. Like its predecessors, this Conference brought together all relevant stakeholders, political and public authorities, decision makers, research community from the old and new member states together to exchange ideas, develop and support jointly the road for reaching the goals of the Vision 2020.
This approach supported building networks and tight co-operations.
The date of the conference was set to mark the start of the 7th Framework Programme. While attracting a large part of the European aeronautics community it offered the European Commission a platform to disseminate their strategic view on the 7th Framework Programme while at the same time receiving feed back from community. This had been achieved by e.g. organising specific plenary and parallel sessions. This approach allowed a wide distribution of crucial information on FP7 and provided engineers and scientist with first hand information necessary to effectively use the possibilities for their work and for support of the aeronautics priorities. The conference facilitated the growth of the knowledge society in aeronautics.
The Aerodays-06 project management was based upon the structure of the project. The project was broken down into four major work packages:
- WP1 - cost management;
- WP2 - dissemination and communication;
- WP3 - coordination of all matters related to the conference facility;
- WP4 - coordination of the conference itself including the scientific/technical structure of the event.
Each Work package contained a number of tasks as shown. The management structure was intentionally kept simple. Emphasis had been put on cost management (WP1) in order to assure a tight and careful control of the expenditures.
Funding
Results
The Aeronautics Days 2006 were a great success. They met with the great approval of the participants. This Conference brought together all relevant stakeholders from all over Europe including Russia and the Ukraine. Beside large industry, small and medium sized enterprises, research organisations, universities, public authorities and decision makers, it also appealed to students and young researchers which attended the Conferences with a large participation.
The conference provided an ideal platform for discussing political, industrial and research topics in the extended Europe, assisting a policy which pursues an intelligent combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches. The Fifth Community Aeronautics Days addressed the technological and industrial development of the European Aeronautics sector providing a high-level, future oriented perspective coming from politics, the industry and the research community, in response to Europe’s social needs and expectations.
A great opportunity was given to exchange ideas, develop and support jointly the road for reaching the goals of the Vision 2020.
European Commission disseminated their strategic view on the 7th framework programme and received a good feed back from community.
A good status of the aeronautics technology in Europe was given on the basis of examples of previous and present projects.
One on the major targets of the event, namely bringing old and new member states together to review and to discuss the status of co-operations, to identify problems and to develop future plans, was reached, because most of the new member states were attending the conference in Vienna, which is very close to all the eastern countries. This joint approach significantly enhanced the integration of the new member states in support of the strategic objectives of the European Union.
With its relatively small but dynamic and fast-growing aeronautics industry Austria was welcoming the chance to present its capability vis-a-vis the European research and industry fabric. Hosting the conference fostered the position of its high tech industry.
Technical Implications
The conference offered a comprehensive view of the technological achievements and ongoing activities of collaborative aeronautical RTD under the 'Aeronautics & Space' thematic priority of the European Union’s Fifth & Sixth Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development. In addition it provided an overview on national and international research activities within Europe as well as an overview on the activities of leading and emerging aerospace nations like the US, Japan, India and China. The conference offered a unique forum for researchers, engineers, managers, government officials and journalists from all over Europe to discuss and reflect on a future-oriented RTD roadmap for aeronautics in line with the concept and objectives of the European Research Area.
The results of EU funded RTD projects were presented in a large number of technical sessions making the aeronautics community aware of previous and present work. It provided a unique opportunity for participants to gain an overview of the aeronautics RTD work in Europe.
Policy implications
Air transport is vital to Europe. It connects people and businesses inside and outside Europe. The demand for air transport is growing fast. On a global scale a 1% increase in GNP creates 1.5% growth in air transport. Despite the effects on September 11th 2001, European airframers and equipment suppliers still predict an average annual global passenger growth rate of 4.9% p.a. coupled with 6% p.a. in air freight.
This sustainable growth needs to be assisted for instance, with respect to the awareness and acceptance of society. The conference in particular tried to gain the attention of young people and tried to raise their interest for an education in aeronautics. A European wide competition between students offered the winners to be invited free of charge to the conference. National activities particularly in Austria are in planning.
In order to open the public's interest and understanding of the aeronautics industry an open day was part of the agenda. The Austrian Presidency provided some political support in realising these goals.
Growth in air transport will create additional employment in the European carriers, service providers and manufacturing industry. The industry will be forced to apply new technology to stay competitive and a competitive industry will create employment for young people looking for a challenging career.