Environmental Compatible Air Transport System

Abstract

ECATS (http://www.pa.op.dlr.de/ecats/) is a new Network of Excellence funded by the European Commission as part of its 6th research framework programme. The partners of ECATS jointly focus their research on aircraft engine emissions, alternative fuels, aviations impact on air quality, operational aspects of aviation, and the development of air traffic scenarios to contribute to the goals of “Vision 2020" for Aeronautics and the Strategic Research Agenda (http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/aeronautics/policy/vision2020_en.html). ECATS integrates in total 13 partners - five research centres and eight universities - from six European countries within the network. The Network of Excellence, ECATS, will be a durable and long lasting means of cooperation and communication within Europe, made up of a number of leading Research Establishments and Universities who have expertise in the field of aeronautics and the environment. The overall goals of ECATS are to create a European Virtual Institute for research of environmental compatible air transport; to develop and maintain durable means for cooperation and communication within Europe and to strengthen Europe's excellence and its role of the influence in the international community. The Joint Research Programme will take into account engine technology, alternative fuels, aviation’s impact on air quality, operational aspects of aviation, and the development of scenarios. Lasting integration will be achieved by joint management and working structures, joint-decision making processes and will be supported through specific integration activities as a common web-based information and communication system, common education, training and exchange programmes, coordinated use of facilities and equipment, dissemination and joint management of innovation. Support by community funding will be applied for a period of 5 years. ECATS will work towards a strong collaboration with the Partnership for Air Transportation Noise and Emissions Reduction (PARTNER) Center of Excellence, which is cosponsored by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Transport Canada. The presentation will inform on the ECATS structure, research areas and planned research initiatives.