Grant Available to Promote EGNOS for Aviation

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) has launched a call for proposals to foster further EGNOS adoption in the European civil aviation sector. The grant aims to support projects that enable users to equip and use their aircraft or rotorcraft fleet with GPS/SBAS-enabled avionics and allow Air Navigation Service Providers and aerodromes/heliports to implement EGNOS-based operations in Europe.

The purpose of the call is to co-fund projects capable of fostering EGNOS operational implementation for regional, business and general aviation and rotorcraft. In addition, commercial operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) interested in benefiting from EGNOS may also apply.

Specifically, the call aims to:

• Foster the design, development and operational implementation of EGNOS-based operations, including approach procedures at different European aerodromes and EGNOS based routes.
• Develop and install GPS/EGNOS enabled avionics and granting of airworthiness certification for RNP APCH procedures down to LPV minima, including the development of Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) or Service Bulletins (SB).
• Approve Air Operator Certificates for LPV operations of aircraft already equipped with SBAS capabilities.
• Develop enablers to accelerate EGNOS adoption and preparation for its future capabilities, such as LPV 200.

The deadline for submitting applications is 16:00 CET, October 31. 

Applications will be assessed in terms of relevance of the proposal and credibility of the proposed approach, economic and societal impact, and coherence and effectiveness of the work plan.

The total budget of the call is EUR 6,000,000 and maximum EU financing of eligible direct costs is 60 percent. In addition, a flat-rate amount of 7% of the total eligible direct costs of the action is eligible under indirect costs.

Awarding of the grants will happen in December 2014, with each grant agreement having an estimated duration of two years.