EASA has published its research agenda for the period from now until the end of 2024.
Standout projects for the rotary world include studies of the post ditching survivability of helicopters with an emphasis on time afloat and roll over tendencies, practical de- and anti-icing systems for smaller helicopters, and a study of ring vortex recovery techniques focusing on a comparison between traditional and Vuichard techniques.
In the eVTOL sector, the agency is looking at questions surrounding the integration of eVTOLs into the air traffic system – including studies into the impact of wake turbulence encounters and noise impact from eVTOLs employed in air taxi operations.
Training techniques are also under the spotlight with a project that will examine optimisation of the balance between synthetic and real world flying.
Naturally, there are a number of projects that are focused on the environmental impact of aviation and strategies to create a more sustainable industry. The standout project is one which, recognising that wide spread availability of SAF may be further into the future than publicity may have us believe, will study methods of reducing polluting aromatics in traditional fuels, as an interim measure until effective availability of SAF is a reality as well as reduce the footprint of blended fuels in the longer term.
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