The RINGO project, identifying research infrastructure needs and gaps to foster innovation in aeronautical research in Europe

Abstract

In this paper the RINGO (“Research Infrastructures - Needs, Gaps and Overlaps”) project and its methodology as well as initial findings will be presented. RINGO is a Coordination and Support Action funded by the European Commission under H2020 aimed at delivering a cohesive and coordinated approach for the identification and assessment of the needs, gaps and overlaps for strategic aviation research infrastructures in Europe; and at analyzing potential sustainable business models and funding schemes for the maintenance and improvement of existing and development of new research infrastructures. During its first year RINGO is producing a preliminary report concentrating on the needs and gaps for research infrastructure needed to work towards the goals laid out in the strategy document Flightpath 2050 produced by ACARE, the Advisory Council for Aviation Research and innovation in Europe. Flightpath 2050 has provided Europe with a vision for aviation and air transportation, identifying goals for the research community and policy makers alike. Based on this vision ACARE has also developed the SRIA (Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda) which serves as a roadmap for aeronautical research for the next decades. RINGO will start from these and other similar documents to identify research infrastructures that are key to European aeronautical research. The identification of these needs will be performed by expert interviews, ensuring a broad coverage of all relevant topics. These interviews will be carefully prepared and staged to ensure full coverage of the FP2050 goals. In parallel RINGO will create a catalogue of existing RIs, starting from the research infrastructures Catalogue that has previously been developed by the AIRTN (Air Transport Network) project. This catalogue will be enhanced with data from other sources and a comprehensive database of European research infrastructure will be established. Comparing the needs identified in the first step and the available infrastructures will yield information about gaps and also overlaps. During the first iteration only a limited view will be produced, covering only some key areas and interviewing only a small group of experts, mainly from ACARE working groups and similar bodies. At the same time a limited catalogue of existing infrastructures will build. This will allow the project to produce a preliminary report as a first input to policy makers at European level. In the second iteration the process will be repeated more thoroughly, interviewing a broader range of experts and adding more detail to the catalogue as well. The final result will be a comprehensive report on RI Needs, Gaps and Overlaps, which is seen as a valuable input to the research community as well as to policy makers.