NASA, Canadian Agency Renew Agreement to Reduce Aviation Icing Risks

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May 21, 2015

RELEASE 15-097

NASA, Canadian Agency Renew Agreement to Reduce Aviation Icing Risks

On hand to sign the renewal agreement Thursday at the NRC offices in Ottawa,
Ontario, were Jaiwon Shin, associate administrator of NASA's Aeronautics
Research Mission Directorate in Washington, and Ian Potter, the NRC's
vice-president of engineering.

"The combined efforts of our two agencies will help solve some of the most
difficult and challenging weather-related issues facing the aviation
community," Shin said.

The agreement continues for an additional five years research in a variety of
critical areas related to aircraft icing, including engine ice crystal icing
and testing practices for thermal ice protection systems. The initial
agreement, signed in 2010, led to many cutting-edge projects and some
important breakthroughs. For example, regulatory bodies are using data
collected during a high-altitude flight campaign to establish standards and
compliance measures regarding an aircraft engine's ability to tolerate the
intake and impact of ice crystals.

This icing research agreement is but the tip of the iceberg of cooperation
between these international partners, which goes back more than 50 years.
Both agencies have similar goals to improve the efficiency, safety, and
environmental compatibility of air transportation systems, and conduct
research and develop tools that will lead to solutions to global challenges
in aviation.

"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
said.

In 2014, NASA and NRC teamed up on the Alternative Fuel Effects on Contrails
and Cruise Emissions (ACCESS) II flight campaign, which studied the effects
of burning alternative fuels in jet engines on emissions and contrail
formation.

The ACCESS II collaboration occurred under the umbrella of the International
Forum for Aviation Research (IFAR), of which NASA and NRC are two of 26
members. IFAR, currently chaired by NASA, facilitates global information
exchange by networking research organizations worldwide.

For more information on NRC's aerospace programs, capabilities and
facilities, visit:

http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/rd/aerospace/index.html

For more information about NASA's aeronautics research, visit:

http://aeronautics.nasa.gov

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