aircraft icing

The National Research Council (NRC) of Canada has renewed its partnership agreement with Nasa to explore ways of reducing aircraft engine icing.

With this agreement, the organisations will continue their research for an additional five years with a focus on aircraft icing related issues such as engine crystal icing.

Nasa and NRC will also test various practices for thermal ice protection systems.

Nasa aeronautics research mission directorate associate administrator Jaiwon Shin said: "The combined efforts of our two agencies will help solve some of the most difficult and challenging weather-related issues facing the aviation community."

"[We] will help solve some of the most difficult and challenging weather-related issues facing the aviation community."

Signed in 2010, the initial agreement has paved the way for various cutting-edge technologies.

Part of the pioneering work has been enabling regulatory agencies to use data collected during a high-altitude flight, to create standards and compliance measures associated with an aircraft engine’s capability to withstand the impact of ice crystals.

"Partnerships have been an essential part of Nasa aeronautics activities since the establishment of its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, in 1915, and are based on a clear recognition of the value that’s added in sharing knowledge and unique capabilities with others," Shin added.

Last year, the two agencies worked together on a flight campaign to evaluate the impact of burning alternative fuels in jet engines on emissions and contrail formation.

Conducted under the supervision of International Forum for Aviation Research (IFAR), the Alternative Fuel Effects on Contrails and Cruise Emissions (ACCESS) II campaign comprised 26 members, including Nasa and NRC.


Image: Aircraft engine icing. Photo: courtesy of Nasa.