The HERON project has been featured in the “Smart airports and innovations in multimodality” CORDIS project info pack. This recognition highlights the project’s significant role in helping aviation become more sustainable by making on-ground and in-flight aircraft operations more efficient. The project is crucial for advancing a sustainable and integrated European transport system that is fully in line with the EU’s Green Deal and climate-neutrality objectives.
Innovating for a Sustainable Aviation
The project has been busy deploying over 20 solutions to improve operational efficiency. One of the key innovations is the ADS-C Common Server, which enables real-time trajectory sharing between aircraft and ground systems. This technology enhances flight predictability and efficiency, with successful trials confirming its potential to improve environmental performance during descent.
On the ground, HERON is implementing sustainable taxiing practices like single-engine taxiing and the use of ‘taxi-bots’. These solutions have been shown to lower fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions during aircraft movement. The project also developed a solution for providing air traffic controllers with real-time wind data and is preparing to implement a solution to optimize aircraft separation on approach based on aircraft-specific characteristics.
These solutions are not just theoretical; they are already delivering results. Airports in Germany are using HERON models to optimize flight trajectories, minimize level flight during descent, and offer shorter arrival planning distances. By integrating innovations in both airborne and ground operations, HERON has produced practical and scalable solutions that decrease emissions, enhance efficiency, and improve safety. The project is helping to set a new standard for environmental responsibility within aviation and contribute to a cleaner and quieter future for the industry.
To learn more about the HERON project and its innovations, you can download the full “Smart airports and innovations in multimodality – CORDIS project info pack” document.
