SESAR has started with remarkable success!
An interview with Patrick de Prevaux, Director for Air Transport, Research & Technology (R&T) and Operations for the AeroSpace and Defence industries association of Europe (ASD).
Patrick de Prevaux has been Director for Air Transport, R & T and Operations for ASD, a European association representing the interests of industries in the aeronautics, space, defence and security sectors, since January 2009.
1. Mr de Prevaux, one of ASD’s key priorities is to ‘Promote Aeronautics Industry as a Strategic Priority for Europe’. How does the SESAR programme fit into this picture?
SESAR is clearly a major project, both as a financial and technological challenge and as a Public-Private Partnership with the European Commission. It represents the political will to succeed in developing the technology to modernise ATM and for the first time all stakeholders are working together. To avoid congestion, passenger discomfort and environmental impact we need a new system which can reduce air traffic jams as air traffic grows and reduce impact on climate change.
2. The current economic downturn has severe effects on the aviation industry. Many companies have to cut down costs. Often R&D budgets are among the first to suffer. How do you react to such decisions?
SESAR has a budget of EUR 2.1 billion – an enormous effort by the European Commission, Eurocontrol and industry. This should be enough budget for the technology development work of the system of systems, although the deployment phase will see new budget needs. At the moment the R&D and deployment phases fit perfectly with the needs of industry. Given the difficulty of getting all sectors working together we see that the SJU has already achieved remarkable success in project development by setting up work packages, tenders and all starting in less than 18 months.
3. In your view, how does such a European programme enhance the competitiveness of European industry?
European competitiveness will be based on the technological results from the SESAR programme’s R&D. This competitiveness has the chance to take an international lead if we keep commitment to the programme. SESAR is developing a system of systems: components that have never talked together before will work together and be interoperable. It’s a very complex technical puzzle and of course we need to start as soon as possible. SESAR will set standards for modern ATM and provide efficient air traffic flow using ground and air equipment that is not too expensive. European competitiveness will be enhanced by having established a system of systems that leads the rest.
