Ground Run-up Enclosures (GREs)
For The ‘Next Generation’ On-Wing Aircraft Engine Testing Facilities (patents pending)
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Images depicts an Airbus A380 within an IAC 100 x 100 x 16m Ground Run-up Enclosure (GRE) |
Airport Noise Control for Ground Testing
Noise control is a fundamental consideration by airport operators. Ground testing of aircraft is an essential function in the servicing lifecycle and is routinely carried out in addition to post engine overhauls and repairs. In order to protect local communities from the resulting noise of aircraft ground testing, a GRE is used to reduce sound transmission and eject hot and turbulent gases away from the facility.
The availability of a GRE for testing is important as airline fleets need to have their aircraft up and running in as short a timeframe as possible. If a GRE is not optimised for certain wind conditions then this can limit the availability of the facility either due to a lack of airflow, or the re-ingestion of hot exhaust gases into the engines.
GRE Aerodynamic Performance
Taking the proven performance of its existing Ground Run-up Enclosures in the field, IAC Global Aviation has used its wealth of test facility experience in addition to utilising state of the art computer modelling techniques to develop a new GRE that optimises availability by addressing otherwise limiting wind conditions.
IAC engineers have designed the next generation GRE in such a way that it not only reduces the effect of engine noise, but also vortices and re-ingestion which otherwise might cause engines to stall. Many different arrangements have been tested in a variety of typical situations such as headwind, tailwind and crosswinds through the use of CFD analysis.
The next generation GRE is constructed using (patent pending) sections (Jetshield™ and Aerowall™), comprising a combination of rugged steel, concrete, plus IAC Noishield™ acoustic panels and Powerflow™ silencers. The tried and tested IAC products which form the basis of the GRE are backed by certified performance data from our laboratory in New York and are used all over the world.
Jetshield™ rear wall construction (patent pending) The Jetshield™ combines collector, deflector and ejector features to cleverly redirect and accelerate the thrust wake away from the facility. The air flow direction and velocities substantially reduce re-ingestion and hence promote engine running more often. |
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Jetshield™ rear wall accelerates air flow away from facility reducing re-ingestion and tailwind effect, thus increasing operating envelope |
Aerowall™ side walls construction (patent pending) The Aerowall™ side walls are specifically designed to offer extreme aerodynamic and acoustic performance. The Powerflow™ silenced vertical airways mitigate the detrimental effects of crosswinds, reduce air flow distortion and reduce vortices within the facility. These improvements extend availability over traditional GREs |
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Aerowall™ silenced vents increase air flow quality and increase operating envelope |
The next generation GRE is not only extremely functional, but also aesthetically pleasing and can even be clad to match other buildings on the site without hindering performance. Modular construction is the key to the new GRE being excellent value for money with a typical project taking 6 months from above ground works to completion.
Planning for your GRE
Environmental restrictions concerning airport noise control typically drive the need for a GRE. IAC can measure noise levels at the location of the proposed GRE, along the boundaries of the airport site and within neighbouring communities. Having identified various noise sources and measured the results, IAC are able to produce 3D simulations and acoustically map all relevant noise sources over 3D Google Earth® images of the airport site, viewable from a multitude of angles.
IAC Global Aviation is also experienced in supporting its customers through the required Local Authority planning processes.
GRE Sizes Available
The next generation GRE is a fully scaleable solution and can therefore be offered in various sizes, optimised to any particular customer fleet from small business jets up to the next generation passenger aircraft such as the Airbus A380.
IAC has also supplied facilities for military aircraft, including the need for afterburner capability.
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BA Plane in current IAC Enclosure |
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Lufthansa craft inside GRE with moveable rear wall |
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GRE for military craft, including afterburner capability |
GRE Options Available
IAC Global Aviation can also customise the GRE and some of the typical features that can be offered as options would be:
- Weather station
- Obstruction lights
- Floodlights
- IAC Moduline™ shelter - this acoustic shelter can be integrated within the walls of the GRE to provide a pleasant and quiet environment for operators to work during tests
Previous Experience
IAC Global Aviation's ability to design, manufacture and install a high quality product backed by excellent service is assured through our successful delivery of many different aircraft engine test facilities, from hush houses to uninstalled mobile facilities, from turbofan to APU. We supply many of the world's leading engine manufacturers and fleet operators, both civil and military, including Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, the Royal Air Force, the US Navy, British Airways and BAA.
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