The GE Aviation Engine Testing, Research and Development Centre (TRDC) in Winnipeg, Manitoba just celebrated its one-year anniversary with the completion of updates that will allow the facility to accommodate year-round operations.

The 122,000 square foot facility was initially designed to handle jet engine cold weather and ice-testing, but the site has expanded to include all-weather development and test cycles for engines. The facility is owned by GE, but operated by StandardAero. In 2012, both companies were honored for their collaboration with the prestigious Canadian American Business Council (CABC) Achievement Award.

This past summer, GE Aviation invested $2.5 million in the facility, in conjunction with a $5 million grant from West Canitest R&D Inc., a non-profit with federal government funding designated to assist third-party technology development programs and engine-testing research. This funding was used to incorporate additional testing equipment, a concrete base to allow the wind tunnel to be moved to accommodate different types of testing, digital temperature-catching equipment, and turbulence control structures used to straighten the air coming into the engine for performance testing.

“GE is the midst of the highest level of new engine development programs in its history, and the Winnipeg facility with its new year-round capabilities will be a critical part of the new engine development programs,” said Kevin Kanter, manager, Design and Systems Integration Engineering at GE Aviation. “In 2012, this facility ran tests on three engines -- a GE Honda HF120 and two GEnx engines, including 118 hours of testing on the GEnx-1B.” 

A rigorous test schedule is planned for the facility over the next few years as well, including CFM's LEAP engine, which will power the Airbus A320neo, the Boeing 737 MAX and China's C919.