Surrey Sensors Limited (SSL) and Flight Test Centre of Excellence dba Certification Center Canada (3C) have announced a strategic collaboration to develop next-generation air data instrument for aviation, with additional applications in wind power. This international collaboration is supported by funding from Innovate UK and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC).

Traditional airspeed measurement systems rely on pressure sensors, which are vulnerable to vibration, centrifugal forces, and blockage caused by ice, water or debris. These limitations pose serious risks to aircraft safety and have severely restricted the applicability and availability of air data on rotorcraft and wind turbine blades.

3C has developed the Airflow Performance Monitor (APM), a pressure-based system designed to detect the effects of contamination on the lifting surface, such as ice on aircraft, and provide proven, real-time warnings to pilots. SSL brings to the partnership its micro-CTA sensing technology, a miniature, waterproof and solid-state sensor that measures flow speed using heat transfer principles. Already proven in automotive, manufacturing, air quality, and undersea applications, micro-CTA sensors are immune to the effects of acceleration forces and blockage. By combining the two technologies, the resulting system will provide highly robust, redundant measurements of air data parameters less likely to fail because of ice, together with a direct measurement of the effect of ice accumulation on aircraft wing (or blade) performance.

Together, SSL and 3C will seek to benefit from the combined technologies to develop two new APM systems to dramatically improve aircraft safety, extend helicopter operational capabilities, and boost wind turbine efficiency by enabling real-time monitoring of blade conditions. The project also serves to support global efforts to reduce transport emissions by improving flight efficiency and reducing the use of ice prevention systems without compromising safety and avoiding diversions.

Quotes:

"This combined technology represents a step-change for air data measurement," said Dr. David Birch, Director of Research (Advanced Projects) at Surrey Sensors Limited. "We are very excited by the possibilities opened by this new international collaboration, and the potential to significantly improve aircraft safety."

"Knowing your stall margin in all phases of flight is critical," added Alistair Chapman, Director of Marketing at 3C. "Combining these technologies will both further address this safety issue and open up new possibilities for a rotary environment. Together, Surrey Sensors Limited and Flight Test Centre of Excellence are poised to set new standards in aerospace safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability through innovative airflow sensing technologies."