GE Aviation and StandardAero opened a 122,500-sq-ft aircraft engine testing, research and development center on James A. Richardson International Airport in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The $50 million shared project caps a 12-month partnership launched in February 2011.

Kevin Kanter, engineering executive at GE Aviation, told AIN, “Winnipeg is a prime location, with more than 50 days a year with temperatures below zero. In addition, the new facility further strengthens GE’s relationship with StandardAero and we look forward to working with them to test new GE engines, including the Passport 20 for the Bombardier Global 7000/8000.”

According to Kanter, the facility can generate winds of up to 65 miles an hour, and 125 nozzles spray water droplets to create an ice cloud that simulates icing conditions in flight. GE designed and built the new facility and StandardAero will maintain and operate it. It will test gas-turbine engines up to 150 inches in diameter and up to 150,000 pounds of thrust and be able to accommodate high-performance military engines.