The first SESAR Innovation Days were organised in the context of SESAR work package (WP) E on long-term and innovative research from 29 November to 1 December in Toulouse. The three days conference, hosted by ENAC, gathered some 140 representatives from academia, research centres and industry.

“Long-term research is an integral part of the SESAR programme. Days like this are the illustration of the SESAR partnership; I am very pleased to see the highly interactive dialogue taking place between students, professors, industry and research institutes.” Patrick Ky, Executive Director of the SESAR Joint Undertaking, said at the closing of the conference.

“The SESAR Innovation Days provided a great opportunity to exchange ideas and knowledge as well as to explore possibilities. The excellent participation from all around Europe and beyond with highly interesting papers and projects discussed, great networking opportunities and a good exhibition sets the bar high for next year’s event”, says Peter Hecker, Chairman of the SESAR Scientific Committee and Managing Director of the Institute of Flight Guidance at TU Braunschweig.

During the SESAR Innovation Days, a new WP-E network was presented. The ALIAS network is a challenging and innovative project focusing on the legal implication of automation in complex socio-technical systems. Papers and projects presented at the workshop are available for download on the SESAR Innovation Days website.

The second SESAR Innovation Days will be co-hosted by TU Braunschweig and DLR from 27-29 November 2012.