V Edition Aeronautical and Aerospace International Congress of Galicia – CIAG | 14 February 2023
The Galician Aeronautical Consortium (CAG) held the 5th edition of the International Aeronautical and Space Congress (CIAG) at the Airborne Research Centre in Rozas (Lugo).
The CIAG is the international congress of reference in the aeronautical sector in Galicia, organised every year by the Galician Aeronautical Consortium (CAG) and was supported in this edition by the Xunta de Galicia through the Civil UAVs Initiative.
Galician Aerospace Industry Observatory
The Congress began with the presentation of the latest reports published by the Aerospace Industry Observatory of Galicia, an initiative launched by the CAG in collaboration with the Xunta de Galicia, to consolidate Galicia as a reference centre at national and international level in the realization and dissemination of scientific, economic, statistical and perspective studies of the aerospace sector.
Guillermo Rey, Aeronautical Engineer at the University of Vigo, presented the analysis of the value chain of the sector, highlighting that “Galicia must continue to consolidate the facilities of the aerospace cluster to serve as a test bed and development of traffic management and aircraft certification technologies. These solutions can be exported, in the near future, nationally and internationally, always taking care that the companies reach commercial TRL levels at the right time”.
Ana Paúl, Director of Technological Innovation, CTAG, focused on the study on R&D funding in the UAV sector, in which they have identified two major European funding programmes aimed at the drone sector: “Horizon Europe and CEF, both aligned with the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) -Digital European Sky, which can be used especially for SMEs, through the calls of the European Innovation Council”.
Jose Manuel Pastor, Researcher, Valencian Institute of Economic Research, presented the analysis of the evolution of companies in the aeronautical and aerospace sector in Spain and Galicia: “in 2020 the 122 companies participating in the aeronautical and aerospace value system (SVANAE) generated a Gross Added Value of 157.3 million euros and employed 3,300 people in Galicia”.
Technology Development, Innovation and Competitiveness
Daniel de Lorenzo Brotons, Indra’s FCAS Business Development Director, explained Phase 1B of the Future Air Combat System: “FCAS is more than an aircraft, it is a system of systems in which we will integrate a new generation fighter with remote operators and all of them connected to the combat cloud. We are talking about 8 billion euros of investment in research and technology between 2023 and 2028, which will have a tractor effect to boost Spain’s industrial and technological base, reinforcing our national sovereignty”.
Daniel de Lorenzo Brotons, Indra’s FCAS Business Development Director, explained Phase 1B of the Future Air Combat System: “The FCAS is more than an aircraft, it is a system of systems in which we will integrate a new generation fighter with remote operators and all of them connected to the combat cloud. We are talking about 8 billion euros of investment in research and technology between 2023 and 2028, which will have a tractor effect to boost Spain’s industrial and technological base, reinforcing our national sovereignty”.
Abel Jiménez, Chief Engineer Sustainable Programmes, ITP Aero, explained that the sector is facing a major challenge in terms of sustainability, driven by the European Union itself: “There will always be gas turbines, the paradigm shift is very complex, but the truth is that, in recent years, thanks to the improved performance of engines, together with that of aircraft, we have 82% more efficient aircraft”. “At ITP, together with Rolls-Royce, we are developing a new engine architecture based on an “ultra fan” that increases the blades of the wind turbine, achieving 10% more efficiency through the use of titanium composites and a 100,000 horsepower gearbox”.
Jiménez also explained that electric propulsion has many limitations in aeronautics due to energy storage, which requires much more weight and space than a gas tank. “For an Airbus A320 aircraft we would need 170 tonnes of batteries, it is unfeasible, so we are working on hybridisation, hydrogen and technological improvements in aircraft and engines, which go hand in hand with improvements in infrastructures, operational efficiency and emissions capture. It all adds up and we cannot ignore any option”.
Beatriz Ventero Pena, Head of Strategy and Operations at Boeing Research & Technology-Europe, addressed the prospects and challenges for aviation, which “include artificial intelligence, digitalisation, advanced materials, cybersecurity, electrification and sustainability, as well as increased access to space, which pose enormous challenges for the sector in an accelerated and unprecedented transformation”.
Héctor Guerrero, Director General of the Technical Office for Space, Commissioner for the Aerospace PERTE of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, explained that: “we have an initiative of 3,000 million euros, reaching 5,000 million with private initiative. Of these public funds, only 30% are European Next Generation funds, the rest are general state budgets and feder funds in an effort to launch a driving initiative for the sector. It is now up to the industry to demand greater investment to give continuity to these projects, which are proving to be successful.
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM)
From the Spanish Aviation Safety Association (AESA), Montserrat Mestres, Director, and Marta Lestau, Director of Aircraft Safety, spoke to explain the White Paper on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in Spain: “We have more than 72,000 drone operators registered in Spain, almost double the number of a year ago. That is why we are adapting the regulation with the preparation of a new Royal Decree that seeks to complete the European regulation with more flexible requirements in terms of minimum pilot age, geozones or the optimisation of aerodrome zones, while working towards a U-Space regulation in line with European standards”.
Stephane Vaubourg, U-space Drones Project Manager at the European Aviation Safety Agency EASA explained that: “U-Space is an ambitious project to make European airspace a complex ecosystem in which all types of aircraft coexist in harmony, with a special focus on the safe and efficient coexistence of manned aircraft and drones, for which a good risk assessment and spatial planning is essential”.
U-Space envisages integrating a total of 100,000 commercial drone flights per day by 2030, with 45 cities under Innovative Air Mobility services and 20 member states providing emergency health services with drones. Turnover in the global drone ecosystem and its contribution to GDP is forecast at €15 billion.
Enrique Ventas, Head of U-Space and UAM projects at ITG, added in this regard that “we have the challenge of integrating a large number of drones in complex aerial spaces in which we have great challenges to define the spaces, deploy support infrastructures, integrate correctly with manned traffic, generate standards and certifications and, not least, achieve social acceptance for this revolution that needs adequate regulation to achieve its full potential”.
Cristina Angulo, Senior PCM – Continuing Airworthiness General Aviation at EASA, explained that “eVTOL aircraft, with vertical take-off and landing capabilities, represent a revolution in urban airspace which, in order to be successful, requires its own regulations for its operational and design development. Coordination and cooperation between European actors is essential for this new regulation to be successful.
Closing
During the closing ceremony, Neves Seoane, Director, Rozas Airborne Research Centre, highlighted: “From the Rozas CIAR we offer our facilities and human capital to advise and accompany all public and private entities that want to develop aerospace technology. Our commitment to innovation is firm and it is a pleasure to be able to host congresses of the size of this V CIAG and the monographic conference held yesterday and today together with the Galician Aeronautical Consortium and the Xunta de Galicia”.
Enrique Mallón, President of the Galician Aeronautical Consortium (CAG), highlighted: “The presence of our aeronautical industry was scarce a couple of decades ago, but the impulse generated by the Galician Aeronautical Consortium (CAG) 15 years ago, together with the joint commitment with the Xunta de Galicia in recent years, has catapulted Galicia as an aeronautical pole of reference. Today, this industry generates more than 1,250 direct and 250 indirect jobs in Galicia. In 2023 we will continue on the path of growth despite the challenges posed by the shortage of qualified professionals or the price of raw materials. However, we have a highly diversified and professionalised industry, based on innovation and technology as a seal of quality and which is attracting large international companies, as shown in this V CIAG, which only confirms what is already a meteoric race towards space, with a Galician stamp”.
Patricia Argerey, Director, Axencia Galega de Innovación: expressed her gratitude to all the professionals who participated in the event and pointed out that “bringing together in Rozas this unique ecosystem in which there are more and more new faces is a sign of the potential of this sector in Galicia”. He also congratulated the Galician Aeronautical Consortium for the organisation and success of the two conferences and reiterated his “call to Galician companies and knowledge centres to take advantage of the unique opportunity offered by the aeronautical and aerospace sector to continue generating wealth and employment in Galicia with the support of the Xunta”.
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IV Edition Aeronautical and Aerospace International Congress of Galicia – CIAG | 13 SEPTEMBER 2021
The Galician Aeronautical Consortium (CAG) held the IV Edition of the International Aeronautical and Space Congress (CIAG) in Vigo.
The CIAG, which took place in a hybrid form, with a face-to-face event exclusively for 60 entrepreneurs in the Sea of Vigo and a live streaming for hundreds of connected, has the support and sponsorship of the Xunta de Galicia through the Civil UAVs Initiative. “In this edition, the Observatory of the aerospace industry was presented, which is an initiative that is developed within the framework of the Civil UAVs Initiative, promoted by the Xunta de Galicia through the second Vice-Presidency and the Department of Economy, Business and Innovation”.
Institutional opening
Enrique Mallón, President of the Galician Aeronautical Consortium, highlighted in his opening speech that there are currently more than 40 companies in Galicia and more than 1,000 people working for the aeronautical industry, which is consolidated as an industry of present and future.
“The aeronautical and space industry is back with hope after the impact of covid, where this has been one of the most affected industries. In spite of everything, aeronautics in Galicia has made an enormous effort to preserve talent, so much so that the drop in employment has been limited, despite everything, to a residual 2%.”
Mallón insisted that we are facing a technological and advanced industry, and that it has the institutional support it deserves, so a new stage of recovery will now open. “This Congress allows us to resume direct contact, renew illusions and resume projects that will mark the pulse and future of our industry in the coming years.”
Abel Caballero, Mayor of Vigo, stressed at the opening of the Congress that “the industry is the backbone of the economy: “In this congress are the leaders of an industry that will continue to transform humanity and making mobility an element of connection and common march of the planet. Modernity is called aeronautics”.
Caballero also stressed that “air mobility is essential and will continue to be so. Technologies, manned and piloted aircraft and the commitment to the environment are going to mark the future, which is outlined in meetings such as this one and in fairs such as Mindtech, which I am pleased to be held in our city of Vigo”.
Speeches by industry leaders
Isabel del Pozo, Director of Recovery Funds at Airbus, indicated that “to achieve sustainable mobility we need to invest in new technologies, engines and standards that enable electrification. The big challenge is to ensure that the airspace will be ready to integrate these new vehicles and their operations. In Spain we have impressive capabilities, we can offer maritime, mountain, semi-desert, urban and rural use cases… But we need to harmonize in a national strategy for the new air mobility, clear roadmaps on what industry we want to develop, because we have the opportunity of next generation funds, which is a bag of oxygen for the industry”.
Matheu Parr, Customer Business Director at Rolls Royce, explained from London that the challenge of electrification requires long-term development: “Currently battery electrification opens the way for short-haul applications. In a few years’ time, turbogenerators will be needed to cover a greater range and with greater technological maturity, and from 2030 onwards we will be in the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft, for example for business trips with a small number of passengers.
Patricia Argerey, Director of GAIN, presented the potential of the Galician industry in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles through the Civil UAVs Initiative, which has already mobilized 264 million euros, 50 projects and 900 professionals. He also explained the collaboration agreement recently signed with the Galician Aeronautical Consortium for the creation of an Aeronautical Industry Observatory, which the Second Vice President of the Xunta de Galicia later mentioned during his closing remarks.
“Going forward, the market potential is immense, it is a niche that foresees an annual turnover of 10,000 million euros in 2025”. Argerey highlighted “the public procurement initiative that the Xunta has opened in the framework of the Civil UAVs, to respond to the necessary technology from the public-private partnership, with the aim of concentrating efforts on strategic projects such as this one.”
María Dolores Vázquez, Manufacturing Technology Specialist at Boeing, explained that the aviation industry has tripled passenger traffic in the last 30 years but has managed to keep emissions stable: “This shows that we are capable of continuing to make progress in efficiency and respect for the environment. To this end, Boeing will focus on programs that offset CO2 emissions, sustainable fuels, changes in the way flights are operated and changes in propulsion. That’s the essential path to decarbonization by 2050.
Walter Da Costa, Tecnam’s international sales manager, emphasized the strength of the Galician industry, with which the Italian company, a manufacturer of components and light aircraft, has a close relationship: “It is a pleasure for us to be involved in the Targus project with Indra here in Galicia, with which we have already successfully tested our optionally manned aircraft”.
Manuel Rodríguez Cerezo, Director of the FCAS Program at Indra, explained that this “ambitious initiative will contribute to the structuring of the defense industry in Spain and give impetus to dual technologies that will transform the sector and its positioning in Europe. It is a technology tractor project”.
The FCAS program, driven by France, Spain and Germany, will not only produce a new combat aircraft, but also many other developments such as a new propulsion system, remote operators through artificial intelligence; the so-called combat cloud (with its consequent connectivity and cybersecurity), or advanced sensors.
Antonio Velázquez, Director of the Querétaro Aerocluster, detailed the opportunities that exist to deepen collaboration with Mexico, which has 368 industrial facilities, more than 60,000 jobs and is the 6th largest exporter to the US.
Closing
The Congress was closed by Francisco Conde, Economic Vice President of the Xunta de Galicia, who declared: “We have the ambition to recover the pulse of the aeronautical and space sector, with the conviction of the installed capacity of Galicia at industrial and technological level, of which the CAG is a perfect showcase; and on the other hand the know-how of our companies and the public-private collaboration. That is what we are doing from the Aerospace Pole, which is placing Galicia as a reference in unmanned aviation”.
In the framework of the new tender opened by the Xunta, Conde stressed that they have received 10 applications to form the tractor partners that in 2025 will work in the development of the projects of the Aerospace Pole of Galicia, with special emphasis on incorporating SMEs to their value chains in order to generate a significant digital footprint.
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III Edition Aeronautical and Aerospace International Congress of Galicia – CIAG | 27 JUNE 2018
The third edition of Galician Aeronautical and Aerospace Congress organized by the Galician Aeronautical Consortium had more than 300 participating companies with names like Boeing, as well as institutions, in an edition that increases its international weight.
The event was inaugurated by the President of the Galician Aeronautical Consortium, Mr. Enrique M. Mallón, and many other important personalities such as the Director of ICEX, Sergio Prieto, and the mayor of Santiago, Xosé M. Sánchez.
The first table of presentations was initiated by Mr. Antonio Velázquez, Director of the Aero Cluster of Querétaro, who explained how the aeronautical industry is distributed and which are the challenges that this activity presents in Mexico. Later, Mr. Santiago Hernández Ibáñez, Professor at the University of A Coruña, explained in detail the STRATOFLY PROJECT, in which the University is carrying out the work of conceptual design and structural optimisation.
The second round of presentations was given by Ms. Patricia Argerey, Director of the Galician Agency for Innovation (Gain), who highlighted the importance of the Civi UAV’s initiative in the development of the Galician unmanned aircraft industry. Then, Mr. Javier Barcala Montejano, Director of Air Vehicles, Defence and Security of INDRA, spoke about the development of the Targus Project, designed in the Rozas industrial area, which after 3 years of work will start to make the flight tests with crew at the end of this year, although it will be an unmanned aircraft. And finally, Mr. José Luiz Saiz Díaz, Director of R+D+i of Babcock Mission Critical Services España, explained the importance of improving efficiency and guaranteeing the provision of continuous service as required by the emergencies they support.
In the third table, Mr. Sergio Camps López, Director of the Supply Chain of Aciturri, took part and focused his speech on the need of improvement and permanent specialization. Next, Mr. Federico Perez, Secretary of Liaison of the Aeronautical University of Queretaro (UNAQ) took part. In his presentation, he highlighted that they are working closely with companies that are based in the Querétaro region in order to educate them and achieve the region’s growth objectives.
The last table of presentations gave way to Mr. Adolfo Sanchez Manso, Founding Partner of S4A Solutions For Aviation, who spoke about the importance that companies specialized in the support of aircraft in service are acquiring. He was followed by Mr. Larry Ley, Manager at Boeing Research & Technology, who highlighted the importance that Galicia is acquiring in the aeronautical world through initiatives such as the Galicia SkyWays Program.
The Congress was closed by its President, Mr. Enrique M. Mallón, the representative of Banco Sabadell, Mr. Manuel Prol, and the Regional Minister of Economy, Employment and Industry, Mr. Francisco José Conde, who thanked Boeing for its commitment to Galicia and recalled that “the sector is growing exponentially”.
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II Edition Aeronautical and Aerospace International Congress of Galicia – CIAG | 12 APRIL 2018
The second edition of the Aeronautical and Aerospace International Congress organized by the Galician Aeronautical Consortium had more than 250 participants in which companies such as MTorres, Boeing, Delta Vigo, Coasa, Indra or Babcock International, among others, met.
The event began with the opening of the President of the Galician Aeronautical Consortium, Mr. Enrique M. Mallón, and many other relevant personalities for the Galician aeronautical industry such as Ms. Rosa Eguizábal, Director of Economic Promotion of the Free Zone Consortium of Vigo, Mr. Salustiano Mato, President of CINAE, Ms. Carmela Silva, President of the Provincial Council of Pontevedra, and Mr. Abel Caballero, Mayor of Vigo.
This second edition of the Congress is attended by leading global companies, such as Boeing, and companies associated with aeronautics or with projects under development in this sector such as MTorres, Indra, Alestis Aerospace or Babcock. In addition, the Galician Innovation Agency, GAIN, presented the Civil Project UAVs Initiative that is being carried out in Rozas.
The Congress was closed by the President of the Galician Aeronautical Consortium, Mr. Enrique M. Mallón, the Regional Minister of Economy, Employment and Industry, Mr. Francisco José Conde.
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I Edition Aeronautical and Aerospace International Congress of Galicia – CIAG | 23 AND 24 JUNE 2015
The Consortium has brought together more than 200 industry professionals aeronautics and space in the first edition of the Aeronautical and Aerospace International Congress, where they have exposed the novelties and trends of the market, as well as the capabilities of materials such as aluminum, titanium and composites.
During the Congress also highlighted the high level of Spanish engineering capacity.
INFORMATION ON THE PRESENTATIONS
Antonio Castro, Galileo Operations Unit of the European Space Agency (ESA), participated in the first block, which dealt with the new opportunities for Galicia in the space sector. He explained: “the aerospace sector has shown its strength, as in times of crisis it has not only resisted but has continued to demand more qualified personnel than existed in the market”. He stressed that the European Space is at the top level worldwide, because quantitatively NASA has more budget, at a qualitative level we are on a par. “As for the future, the contribution of the member states for the development and construction of the new launchers has been guaranteed”.
Jose Antonio Vilán, Commissioner of Vigo Technology of the University of Vigo, declared: “from the University of Vigo we have realized the opportunity that represents the aerospace sector, aeronautics and space both nationally and internationally”.
Fernando Aguado, Coordinator of the Aerospace Strategic Group of the University of Vigo, mentioned the first Galician satellite, the potentialities that the University of Vigo has and the projects it is developing and has developed. He indicated that: “from Galicia we have specialized with the purpose of promoting the aeronautical industry to world and international level.”
In the second block, Eloy Tembrás Franco, Technical Manager of HyperWorks at ALTAIR Spain, who focused his presentation on R+D+I as the key to the future, indicated that: “simulation must direct the design of products, that is to say, the objective is to encourage innovation in productive companies. The aim is for the structure to be standardised, but for this it is necessary for companies to think about problem solving, flexibility and simplicity of use”.
Juan Ignacio Lema, President of TECNIBERIA, took part in the third block that focused on Spanish Engineering as a reference for Europe. He declared: “We must fight under equal conditions both nationally and internationally”, and therefore urged: “the Spanish diplomacy that represents us abroad to give greater support to national companies when exporting in engineering. A country that does not take care of its engineering companies ends up being colonized”:
He also stressed: “At the moment the sector is suffering an extraordinary crisis, so we are forced to make a process of internationalization, in fact, the international turnover already exceeds 50%”. On the other hand, he highlighted as characteristics of the air sector: homogeneous regulation, expansion and growth of 15% of passenger traffic, in fact, high growth is expected in Asia-Pacific and a strong reduction in North America.
Jacinto Tortosa, General Manager of FIDAMC, focused his presentation on innovation as an engine in the development of composite materials where he said: “it is important to highlight that the market has a great demand in which technology is used to be competitive, Airbus and Boeing annually produce between 1,200 and 1,500 aircraft, 32,600 are expected to be needed by 2030”.
Jose Alfredo, International Business Development Director of CT Ingenieros, cited the company’s presence in numerous Spanish cities, Brazil and Europe and its new delegation in Ferrol together with Dinain. He highlighted that: “there are two clear lines that we must bet on since the future passes through them: robotization and techniques such as augmented reality”, with which he reiterated: “we have to be competitive not only in price, the key is the binomial price- result”.
In addition, he claimed: “taking into account everything we know, we must achieve more language, we must mention the difficulty of relating to other cultures that causes that we do not know how to sell ourselves”.
Javier Alejo, Managing Director of GHENOVA Aeronáutica, said: “we must highlight the capabilities of engineering, since there are no forecasts of new launches, we must focus on other niches: manufacturing and processes, systems intelligence and applications in new products. He also claimed: “we are facing a clear change of cycle in engineering and we must not forget that Spanish engineering is one of the world leaders, do not miss the capacity”.
María del Coro, Head of Marketing at UAV’s AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE, participated in the last panel. She highlighted the general aspects and the trend in the UAV´s highlighting that: “it is a future and growing sector that presents many potential applications such as drug control, immigration control, surveillance of jungle areas, anti-piracy controls, etc”. “When the regulations are updated and allow it, it will be a great sector to invest in.” Airbus España has 12,000 employees and a turnover of 5 billion euros.
Finally, in the closing ceremony, Salustiano Mato, Rector of the University of Vigo, shared the reflections that the University of Vigo is having in the aeronautical sector. He said: “we always think about betting on mature and consolidated sectors with tangible bets such as automotive or naval. The University of Vigo proposed that it was necessary to take advantage of the talent of the auxiliary industry to, through mature sectors and innovation, develop strategic poles in emerging sectors, such as aeronautics”. He also mentioned the Aerospace Innovation Centre, which “aims to be an instrument that works on demand by the companies in the Consortium”.
Enrique M. Mallón, president of CAG, indicated that: “in the coming months we will develop our 2015-2016 training plan, new company certifications, commercial missions and above all networking with aeronautical Tier 1”
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