IWTresearch

Feasibility Study for a New Medium Size Icing Wind Tunnel in Vienna 

Start: 01.04.2025 (Duration: 12 months)

Funded by the Take Off programme of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) with the funds of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI)

Multidisciplinary Consortium:

  • TU Wien Aircraft Systems Research Group (Project lead)
  • RTA Rail Tec Arsenal (IWT operator in Vienna)
  • AeroTex GmbH (Icing research & certification expertise)
  • Advanced Drivetrain Technologies GmbH (Thermal management expertise)

Project targets:

  • Feasibility study for a medium-scale icing wind tunnel.
  • IWT Target specifications (TBC):
    • Testsection size: approx.1x1m²
    • Wind speeds up to Mach number 0.7 (high-speed only with insert)
    • Altitude simulation up to 41000ft
    • Temperature range-40°C to +30°C.
    • Precipitation simulation: Large droplets, mixed phase and ice crystals, snow; Aircraft certification relevance:CS25 Appendices C, O, P
  • Enable testing of small components and models, like ice detectors and air data sensors.
  • Provide cost-effective and energy-efficient ground testing alternative to flight tests and large IWTs.
  • Close European infrastructure gaps for advanced icing certification testing.
  • Strengthen Austrian and European aviation research ecosystems and support next-gen aviation icing expertise.