AeroTex is advertising for an Early Stage Researcher (ESR) to work on the development of models for ice adhesion and cohesion. This is part of a Marie Skłodowska – Curie Innovative Training Network (MSCA-ITN) project: “Smart surface design for efficient ice protection and control” (SURFICE). The position is for a three-year fixed term research contract and the successful applicant will be matriculated as a doctoral Student of the Institut supérieur de l’aéronautique et de l’espace (ISAE-SUPAERO), from which they shall obtain a PhD degree in Aerospace Engineering.

Note that there are some specific Eligibility Conditions that are associated with these positions (see advert), so please read carefully before applying.

Other positions within the consortium are also available or will be coming available shortly.

On the 22^nd October 2020, the SENS4ICE research programme, which focusses on the detection of SLD icing conditions, held a Symposium as part of the SAE AC-9C Aircraft Icing Technology Committee meeting.  The symposium was held virtually but was attended by more than 100 people from across industry and academia.  At this meeting AeroTex presented details of the Atmospheric Icing Patches (AIP) that they are developing as part of this programme, with aspirations to go to flight test within 1 to 2 years.  This followed on from a successful series of development icing wind tunnel tests that were performed at the RTA facility in Vienna, Austria.  Presentations given by the partners can be found here.

AeroTex is part of a consortium that won a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training network (MSCA-ITN) call.  The programme, SURFICE, combines the capabilities of seven University research groups and three industrial partners to develop effective and sustainable anti-icing technologies.  With the funding, the partners will be able to fund thirteen talented young researchers to become the next generation of specialists in icing technologies.  The programme focusses on the development, modelling and application of low-adhesion coatings as part of measures to mitigate ice build-up in the sectors of aeronautics, energy and automotive.

The programme start on 1^st January 2021, with the early stage researchers being in position by the middle of next year.  More information and details of the research positions will be arriving shortly on the programme website (currently under development – check back soon!).

The Clean Sky 2 project ‘InSPIRe’, in which AeroTex UK is a partner, passed its Critical Design Review held on June 22nd and 23rd 2020. The project aims to develop a wing ice protection system suitable for a Regional Aircraft, and can now move on to the next stage of producing the test article for an Icing Wind Tunnel test in 2021.

More details can be found here: https://www.cleansky.eu/inspiring-flight-wing-ice-protection-system-soars-through-its-critical-design-review

The SENS4ICE project is a research and innovation action funded by the EU through the international cooperation flagship of the Horizon 2020 programme.

SENS4ICE stands for SENSors and certifiable hybrid architectures for safer aviation in ICing Environment and addresses the need for reliable detection and discrimination of icing conditions. SENS4ICE will focus on the development, test, validation, and maturation of the different detection principles, the hybridisation – in close cooperation with regulators to develop acceptable means of compliance – and the final airborne demonstration of technology capabilities in relevant natural icing conditions.

The project consortium unites European and international aircraft manufacturers, equipment suppliers and research/academia with a large variety of technologies that have emerged in recent years. Since icing is a global hazard, SENS4ICE will address this challenge with a global consortium including participants from Brazil, USA, and Russia.

Stay updated on the progress in SENS4ICE – we invite you to visit our website https://www.sens4ice-project.eu/ and follow our Linked In Company Page “SENS4ICE project”!

AeroTex participated in the 2019 SAE International Conference on Icing of Aircraft, Engines, and Structures, held in Minneapolis from June 17th – 21st. As well as attending the technical sessions, AeroTex gave two presentations: Dr. Ian Roberts presented work on ‘Non-spherical Particle Trajectory Modelling for Ice Crystal Conditions’ whilst Richard Moser presented a study titled ‘Numerical Optimisation of a Helicopter Engine Inlet Electrothermal Ice Protection System’.

AeroTex has begun work under the EU funded SENS4ICE project. Under this project, AeroTex will be developing an ice detector which is capable of discriminating the different portions of the aircraft in-flight icing envelope (Appendix C and Appendix O to CS-25). Working together with a number of international partners, under the consortium leadership of DLR (the German Aerospace research centre), the SENS4ICE project aims to improve flight safety in icing conditions.

AeroTex performed the Trials Management function for a test of a pitot probe at the GKN Aerospace facility in Luton for a commercial customer. The role consisted of planning, running and reporting the test campaign. Three different pitots were tested in both super-cooled water and rain conditions, gathering data on performance in order to support qualification.

Richard Moser from AeroTex presented an overview of the GAINS programme (http://gains.meggitt.com) at the SAE AC-9C technical committee meting held in Destin, Florida. The meeting was well attended by representatives of most of the major organisations involved in aircraft icing in North America, South America and Europe. At the end of the meeting there was the opportunity to have a tour of the McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin Air Force base – a remarkable facility!

AeroTex performed the Trials Management function for a commercial customer for a test of two different ice protection systems at the RTA icing facility in Vienna. The role consisted of planning, running and reporting the test campaign. An electro-mechanical system and a pneumatic boot system, provided by commercial companies, were tested on different lifting surfaces in order to assess ice shedding capability under different flight and icing regimes.