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Engine test site crucial: experts

Thompson is perfect due to its cold weather

By: Martin Cash

17/04/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

INDUSTRY officials say a newly announced aerospace engine test centre in Thompson is needed because existing facilities around the world are wearing out and are increasingly expensive to operate.

The Canadian Environmental Test Research and Education Centre (CanETREC) is building a $40-million cold weather aerospace engine test centre in Thompson with the assistance of $13.4 million from the federal government and a $9-million repayable loan from the province.

Two of the world's largest aerospace engine manufacturers -- Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney -- are also partners and co-owners of the facility.

The National Research Council of Canada, a recognized international leader in ice crystal research, will play an on-going role in the centre providing technology as well as undertaking research.

An official with the NRC said the idea for the new test centre in Thompson came from one of its aerospace engine clients. They need to test the operation of large engines in circumstances where they may ingest large quantities of ice crystals -- a situation that occurs, for instance, in tropical storms.

Aviation regulators are expected to soon require engines to be certified to operate in such conditions and there is no other test centre in the world that can handle that.

"This facility will be the only one in the world capable of doing ice crystal ingesting testing," CanETREC executive director Bob Hastings said.

Refrigeration systems at an engine-testing facility in Tennessee will need two years and more than $100 million in repairs and Hastings said it still will not be able to do ice crystal testing.

The NRC and the private-sector partners chose Thompson for a number of reasons, including the fact there is plenty of ambient cold weather.

Mike Mulligan, a senior NRC official in the propulsion-testing lab in Ottawa, said other sites were investigated, but Thompson proved to be the best choice.

"There were already other companies doing testing up there, electricity is pretty cheap, there is good rail and road service and the infrastructure is there to allow people and equipment to move in and out easily," Mulligan said.

The prospects of locating a world-class technical facility in the northern part of the country was attractive to both the provincial and federal governments, which are keen to enhance activities in the North.

"Research and innovation are catalysts for new business opportunities and job creation," Manitoba Premier Gary Doer said in prepared remarks. "We are pleased to be part of a project that will help generate new education, training and job opportunities right here in Thompson."

Construction of the facility is to be completed by the summer of 2010 with testing starting that October.

Initially, it will require a full-time staff of about 12 people. At various times that will grow by an additional 20 people. The plan is to build one engine test stand at first and to add a second in the near future, which would then require additional staff.

One provincial aerospace industry official said the presence of two global engine makers setting up shop in the province creates the opportunity for them "to do more here."

Canadian representatives of Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney were in Thompson Thursday for the announcement, but industry people say interest and impetus for the development can be traced back to their respective headquarters in England and Hartford, Conn.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca

The Canadian Environmental Test Research and Education Centre

"ö The centre will specialize in supporting engine-icing certification.

"ö Planning includes educational and research opportunities for high school and post-secondary students.

"ö Testing technology to be installed will be applicable to other industries such as bus and automobile manufacturers.

"ö Research at the centre may also extend into areas such as noise and emissions reduction, alternative fuels and lubricants.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 17, 2009 B8

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