ARA exhibited at the recent Farnborough International Airshow between 14^th July and 20^th July.

The launch of the UK Aerodynamics Centre in April 2012 by the UK Government provided funding to maintain the UK’s position as a world leader in the aerospace industry. As the operator of the largest Transonic Wind Tunnel in the UK, Aircraft Research Association (ARA), based in Bedford, has been one of the companies to benefit from this funding. Since its launch, the future of the Aerodynamics Centre has been secured for the next seven years following the announcement of the UK Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI). Aerodynamics is one of the four ‘pillars’ of the ATI, along with structures, propulsion and systems, and it’s formation will ensure that research in aerospace will continue to be a major area of investment in the UK.

In December 2013, ARA successfully completed tests of a cavity rig in the Transonic Wind Tunnel (TWT). During these tests, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) was used to capture the three-dimensional velocity field in the wake of the landing gear. These tests were the first to be tested as part of the development of new capabilities funded by the UK Aerodynamics Centre, http://www.ukaerodynamics.co.uk/  now part of the UK Aerospace Technology Institute, and funded by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS).