FFG supports projects for the further development of aviation

At this year's Aviation Forum Austria, experts discussed the major challenges on the path to climate-neutral aviation over two days. As one of the founding members of the Aviation Forum Austria, the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG provided information about current research programs and innovations to achieve the ambitious climate target for aviation.

“Achieving the climate goals in aviation is a major joint project. The mobility system of the future must be comfortable, affordable and climate-friendly. It is clear that aviation will continue to be an essential part of international traffic in the future, of tourism, cultural connections, business and transport,” said Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler. “No company or country has the financial, technological and industrial capabilities to manage this transformation alone. Participation and collaboration are key elements in solving this systemic challenge – in Austria, in Europe and worldwide.”

One year of aviation strategy

“A lot is already being done at the national level,” explained FFG Managing Director Karin Tausz in her welcome to the second day of the Aviation Forum. “The BMK’s new aviation strategy was presented a year ago. Since then, the FFG has been using its entire range of instruments, especially in the 'Take Off' program, to realize climate-neutral aviation step by step.”

For more than 20 years, “Take Off” has been the leading program in Austria for aviation research, through which the majority of all FFG-funded aviation projects are carried out. The program also creates the basis for successful participation in international projects and can already look back on many success stories, such as the development of ecological cabin interiors using multi-material 3D printing and multifunctional coatings as part of the LiBio – Lightweight Bionic Aircraft Interior project. Numerous other successes have already been achieved: Austria, for example, is the global technology leader in the field of de-icing - the targeted funding and bundling of projects relating to aircraft de-icing was the foundation for research success and product development in this area. And in the area of ​​hydrogen systems, Austrian developers also play in the top league internationally and benefit from FFG-funded research projects. The development of innovative new solutions in various key technologies for aviation is considered one of the most important drivers on the way to the goal of climate neutrality.

The importance of international programs for cross-border cooperation in research and development was once again emphasized in all panel discussions. As part of the Horizon Europe research program, the AREANA initiative will start around 2024 with the aim of facilitating international cooperation through national and regional funding programs in Europe and thus contributing even more efficiently to bundling research power in line with climate goals.