GE Aviation revealed a $26M (CAD) investment to its Winnipeg Testing, Research and Development Centre (TRDC) at the James Richardson International Airport. The additional investment expanded and modified the five-year-old aircraft engine testing facility to accommodate the GE9X engine, which will power Boeing's 777X aircraft and is the largest commercial aircraft engine with a 134-inch diameter front fan.

This investment brings GE's total capital expenditure in the 122,000-square foot facility to $75M. The TRDC opened in 2012 and is owned by GE Aviation and operated by StandardAero. Initially designed for icing and cold weather testing, the facility was expanded in 2013 to conduct all weather development and engine testing and has tested several engines for GE Aviation and its joint venture companies like CFM International and GE Honda.

“The TRDC has played a significant role in the development and certification of GE Aviation's GEnx and Passport engines, CFM's LEAP engine and GE Honda's HF120 engine,” said Benito Trevino, General Manager, Engine Testing Programs at GE Aviation. “This additional investment will ensure the facility can handle the GE9X engine, and we are proud to showcase the facility and the outstanding efforts of StandardAero and the Winnipeg businesses that worked on this one-of-a kind facility.”

“This amazing partnership with GE Aviation continues to grow stronger as we break new ground testing the world's most advanced aircraft engines,” said Mike Scott, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for StandardAero. “We look forward to maximizing the return on investment and the additional capabilities and technologies available at the TRDC and highly value our long-term efforts to safely and effectively operate one of the most advanced testing centers in the world.”