Aeronautics and Air Transport Research 7th Framework Programme ...

AirTN-FP7
Air Transport Net (AirTN) as one of
the key enablers for the prosperous
development of Aeronautics in
Europe
of aeronautical research. As a result of this,
ERA-Net AirTN was one of the most effective
tools to support non-discriminatory research
in the NMS on a partner basis. Given this
positive experience, co-operation within the
AirTN FP7 will be further enhanced.
Cross Cutting Activities
State of the Art - Background
The AirTN ERA-Net was established under
FP6 as a network of Member and Associated
States whose agencies manage public funded
national research activities and programmes
in Aeronautics and Air Transport. The various
Work Packages (WPs) have delivered many
of the objectives of the project set out at the
start. Its success to date has prompted the
network to apply for an additional period of
support under the FP7 programme to continue
its development and allow for further
member state involvement and co-operation.
For Aeronautics and Air Transport, the ERA-
Net AirTN has resulted in an excellent network
of member states and their agencies.
Signifi cant progress has been made towards
achieving the main objectives, which are to
step up the co-operation and coordination
of research activities at national level and to
expand the European dimension.
As well as the defi ned goals, AirTN was able to
fully integrate the new member states (NMS).
NMS benefi ted from information exchanges
on the system of national programmes,
their fi nancing and their organisation. Using
examples from the States where the system
is well developed enabled the governments
and governmental organisations in the NMS
to improve their methods and organisation
Objectives
The AirTN ERA-Net was established under
FP6 as a network of Member States whose
ministries and agencies manage publicly
funded national research activities and programmes
in Aeronautics and Air Transport.
Now in its third year, AirTN is set to run until
the end of 2008. AirTN in FP6 has completed
the fi rst steps of the ERA-NET instrument
through the systematic exchange of information
mutual learning between Member States
and the identifi cation of possible areas for
co-operation. The results from these WPs
are prerequisites for the implementation of
joint activities to enhance co-operation and
coordination of national and regional research
programmes. The success of the initial steps
has prompted the network to apply for an
additional period of support under the FP7
programme to continue its development and
allow for further member state involvement
and support in order to reach its ultimate
objectives.
AirTN in FP7 will strengthen this coordination
and strive for long lasting co-operation.
It will bring added value to the foundation of
the European Research Area and the development
of a European Research Policy,
especially in relation to aeronautics and air
transport. The focus will be on the Implementation
of Joint Activities step 3 of the ERANET
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