The Association of Aviation Manufacturers of the Czech Republic (ALV - Asociace leteckých výrobců v ČR) has taken the initiative to prepare a large international project aimed at needs of the aerospace industry covering the branch of small regional aeroplanes for 5 up to 15 passengers. The leading part was played by the ALV president Mr Milan Holl, who managed to prepare the necessary conditions for the project.

The preparation of a project proposal was committed to VZLÚ (Aeronautical Research and Test Institute), which is also the project coordinator. The project proposal was drafted by an international team headed by Mr Karel Paiger of VZLÚ.

The preparation of the project proposal took nearly one year starting in autumn 2004. During the preparatory phase the technical contents of the project was defined in detail and a consortium of partner companies was established. Then, the project proposal entitled CESAR (Cost-Effective Small AiRcraft) was submitted to the 3rd call of the 6th Framework Programme with the deadline on 13 July 2005. Framework Programmes belong to European Commission schemes supporting research and technological development in many areas, including aeronautics.

During the following six months the CESAR project passed the evaluation process of the European Commission with positive rating announced in February 2006. The Contract negotiation with the European Commission (EC), which is another important phase of the project preparation, could be commenced then. The contract with the EC was finally signed in August 2006, so the project could start by 1st September 2006. CESAR is scheduled to run for 36 months with a very tough schedule.