EU and manufacturers to make aircraft greener

The EU has issued a directive that all aircraft manufactured in the European Union, will have to be quieter, and cause less pollution, starting in 2015. The European Union has set up a €1.6 billion project to research into noise, and air pollution, caused by planes.

Aeronautical manufacturers will work alongside the EU, in development of technology that will cut noise pollution, and use less fuel, and possibly run on non-oil-based, fuels

Around half of the budget for this project will come from the EU, the other half will go into the so-called ‘Clean Sky’ project.

CEO of French company Safran aerospace Marc Vantre said , “There are three main objectives: the reduction by 50 percent of carbon dioxide, halving the level of noise and reducing by 80 percent the level of nitrogen oxide emissions.

Up to now, eighty six separate organizations have signed up for Clean Sky. Including fifty four industries, fifteen research centres. and seventeen educational establishments.

Vantre stated that he was confident that aerospace firms will be able to fund the program, and will develop prototype models.

The EU Commission claims, that aviation emissions account for 4% of all annual greenhouse gas emissions, within the European Union.

The executive committee of Clean Sky will have to come up with an agreement regarding such issues as, rules for participants, and how the new technology can be patented, and how any profits, would be divided.

Swedish aerospace company Saab, CEO, Ake Svensson said “The intellectual property rights issues are important for industry. We are investing our own money so we want to be sure that we can use the technology going forward,”

He also stated: “So far we are allocating about 150 million Swedish crowns ($23.67 million) for taking part in two programs, the smart fixed wing initiative and green operations, where it’s not only about what you fly but how you fly,”

Clean Sky will also ensure that the European Union keeps up with the latest technology and will compete with its rivals, mainly the US, which had already set up its aeronautics research, and development policy, over two years ago.

EU Science Commissioner Janez Potocnik said “Locations are now competing more than in the past. This makes sense that we look to Europe as one of the competing locations,”