Aviation Leaders from Across the Globe Gathered at the EUROCAE Symposium for Insightful Discussions

350 aviation professionals around the world joined the EUROCAE Symposium on April 26-27 in Paris for interactive discussions on how aviation can best prepare for the future global environment, in a special edition for the organization due to its 60th anniversary.

EUROCAE organised its 2023 Symposium on 26 and 27 April in Paris, France (National Air and Space Museum of France). This event was attended by 350 participants on site and online, which gathered participation from highly specialised experts and top industry leaders from Europe and globally, in a special edition for the 60th anniversary of the organisation.

“The aim of the event is to gather the priorities, strategies and the vision from all relevant aviation stakeholders, bringing together key experts and representatives from European and international institutions, as well as from the different industry sectors. We had prolific discussions and conclusions to shape, tailor and guide EUROCAE´s strategy on how to support aviation developments and achieve the overall targets”, says Anna von Groote, Director General at EUROCAE.

Summary of the sessions:

  • EUROCAE, 60 years driving the standards for aviation: Panelists discussed the growth of the organization over the last 60 years and the role of collaboration with regulatory bodies such as EASA and international cooperation with organizations like ICAO. They emphasized how this collaboration had helped the organization to enhance safety standards and ensure compliance with regulations. The panelists also highlighted the significance of ongoing collaboration with such bodies to sustain the organization's growth trajectory and drive innovation in the aviation industry.
     
  • The Digital European Sky. From R&D to Reality: The European ATM Master Plan (2020), and the Airspace Architecture Study (2019) envisage a future reliant on digitalisation and information sharing to manage future traffic growth.  Focusing on remote towers and virtual centres, the panelists discussed the R&D underway via the SESAR programme and some of the outcomes of that work to date.  These innovations are proving to offer new ways of providing ATM services in an efficient and scalable way, supported by standards and regulations to ensure interoperability and service outcomes.
     
  • ATM Ground System Certification: A New Regulatory Environment: The new ATM/ANS conformity assessment framework is in its final development phase, ahead of introduction on 12th September 2023.  During this session, EASA described how the draft Certification Specifications will align the airborne and ground based regulatory systems and improve the workflow for OEMs and ground equipment manufacturers.  Panelists from ANSPs, ATM/ANS equipment suppliers and a National Aviation Authority reflected on the transition from existing processes to the new framework, including some of the challenges to be overcome during implementation.
     
  • The Road to Zero Emission Aviation: Initiatives in the aviation sector aim to introduce new technologies like hydrogen and electric aircraft, as well as data and AI to optimize flight paths, improve ground operations, and reduce taxi times. Achieving net-zero aviation is the ultimate goal, but there are several challenges such as infrastructure, cost, availability, and new regulations/safety standards to implement these technologies. Despite these challenges, there is a significant interest in the development and implementation of hydrogen/electric aircraft, and regulatory frameworks can support their adoption and help achieve zero-emission aviation.
     
  • Implementation and safe integration of Advanced Air Mobility: Europe has established regulation processes to support the implementation of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) operations. However, improvements in Traffic Management are necessary to ensure safe and efficient integration with existing aviation. VTOL operations from vertiports, airports, or heliports require attractive and performant services, harmonization, interoperability, and addressing peculiar characteristics of VTOL concepts. Practical and innovative solutions are necessary to cope with the growing traffic.
     
  • As civil as possible, as military as necessary: The panel emphasized the importance of collaboration between military and civilian stakeholders in developing aviation standards. Applying civil standards to military organizations when applicable can enhance global interoperability, optimize resource utilization, and reduce procurement costs by avoiding duplication of effort. Civil aviation stakeholders can benefit from military projects such as trials, research, development activities, and return from experience to support and validate standards.
     
  • The Future of Spectrum: ICNSS activities set the context for discussion of the panelists, representing various stakeholders, from ANSP to Airlines and manufacturers. Spectrum is an essential resource to support aviation but other users, from other industries as well as new aviation entrants, are increasingly needing RF Spectrum. In this context, this type of discussion is essential for aviation stakeholders to collaborate and exchange on their need and use of spectrum while keeping on the table that safety shall never be at risk.
     
  • Cooperative Advancements in Artificial Intelligence: The acceptance of AI in certain industries has been only partly due to concerns regarding its maturity in some areas and it has consequently led to hesitancy toward complete adoption. To facilitate the advancement of AI in terms of its reliability, acceptance, and innovation, this requires a high level of cooperation and collaboration between stakeholders across all sectors, from industry leaders to academics or policymakers, to ensure the responsible and sustainable development of AI technologies.
     

“EUROCAE will evaluate all these conclusions and reflect with the Council and Technical Advisory Committee on possible future standardisation activities resulting from these discussions”, concludes Anna von Groote, Director General at EUROCAE.

The companies and organisations that participated were: ADP, ADR, Airbus, ASD, BAF, Blue Spirit Aero, Boeing, Collins Aerospace, DGAC, DLR, EASA, EDA, ENAIRE, EUROCONTROL, European Commission, Frequentis, Honeywell, IATA, ICAO, IFATCA, Indra, KIAST, Keyvan Aviation, NATO, RTCA, Safran, SESAR 3 JU, Skyguide, Skyports, Startical, Thales, Volocopter. 

You can watch the first day sessions here and the second day sessions here.

 

Highlights from the Symposium: Electing New EUROCAE President, Renewing Commitment with RTCA, and Announcing Award Winners  

The EUROCAE General Assembly was held on 26 April 2023, during the Symposium. Representatives of 45 member organisations and 2 observers joined the meeting and approved the activity report and strategy proposed by the Council, the accounts, and elected the Council members for the next term. This was also the opportunity to thank Bruno Ayral, Thales LAS, for his support and dedication as EUROCAE President.

On 27 April, the newly elected Council met for the first time and elected Guillaume Roger, DGAC/DTA/STAC France, as the new President. Guillaume Roger will bring his experience and leadership to the role and continue the organisation's work to advance aviation standards.

“I am very pleased and honoured to succeed Bruno Ayral as EUROCAE President. I would like to thank the members and the council for their trust.  Together, with the newly elected council and council officers, we are dedicated to continue leading EUROCAE on the success pass that has made it the Europe’s leading Standards Development Organisation for aviation", says Guillaume Roger, President at EUROCAE.

In addition, the event offered a great opportunity to see the signature of the Updated Memorandum of Cooperation between EUROCAE and RTCA, and to recognise the participation of experts who received the EUROCAE Awards for their invaluable contributions to standardisation activities in support of aviation. 

The 2023 Award Winners were: 

  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Roland Mallwitz
  • WG Leadership Award: Jörn Jakobi
  • Best Contribution Award: Clive Goodchild 
  • International Award: Mark Brown 
  • Global Harmonisation Award: Eric Asselin
  • Women in Aviation Award: Julia Sanchez 
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