WINNIPEG, MANITOBA -- 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.”
To learn more about the investment, click here. Watch the facility in action on YouTube.
About Standard Aero
StandardAero is one of the world's largest independent providers of services including engine and airframe maintenance, repair and overhaul, engine component repair, engineering services, interior completions and paint applications. StandardAero serves a diverse array of customers in business and general aviation, airline, military, helicopter, components and energy markets. The company celebrated its 100th year of industry leadership in 2011. In 2015, StandardAero was purchased by Veritas Capital, a leading private equity firm headquartered in New York City. Veritas invests in companies that provide critical products and services to government and commercial customers worldwide including those operating in aerospace & defense, healthcare, technology, national security, communications, energy and education. More information can be found on the company's web site at www.standardaero.com.
About GE Aviation
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components, integrated digital, avionics, electrical power and mechanical systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings and is part of the world’s Digital Industrial Company with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive.