Put thompson to the test!
Thompson is becoming a global center for cold and winter weather testing. In addition to accommodating North American manufacturers, we have been pleased to host companies from England, Germany, Japan and southeast Asia.
Ford Motor Company has carried out cold weather testing in Thompson since the mid 1980s and has established its global Extreme Cold Weather Test Facility in our city. Since then, other vehicle manufacturers have performed many different tests in Thompson from cold soaks, to snow ingestion, to traction testing on ice/pavement pads. These manufacturers include Land Rover, Volvo, Chrysler Group LLC, Hummer, Jaguar, Porsche, Honda and Mercedes-Benz.Bell helicopters, Cessna aircraft, Navistar engines, and Polaris, Bombardier, Yamaha and Arctic Cat snowmobiles have also been tested to the breaking point in our fiercely cold climate.
The new state-of-the-art facility commissioned in 2010 provides the aerospace industry with specialized operational conditions and capability to meet the growing requirements for new jet engine icing certification and other adverse cold weather conditions. It will also be used for a variety of performance, endurance and specialty testing on a year-round basis outside of the icing season. This leading edge technology and research will give the Canadian aerospace industry the capability to advance the next generation of aircraft and position them at the forefront of future technology developments. A prime purpose of this facility will be for icing certification and research of aviation gas turbine engines manufactured by Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney; two of the largest gas turbine manufacturers in the world.
Global outlook
To support globally diverse growth, the city intends to add more winter weather testing facilities and an even more comprehensive range of services. Among the enhancements currently being considered are independent facilities for an outdoor test track. Thompson Unlimited is the clearing house for all testing needs.
Thompson MB, represents an ideal site for cold weather development and certification testing of Bell Helicopter commercial products. The city offers all of the infrastructures needed to support the test crew and equipment over the duration of the tests. People in Thompson know quite a bit about living in the cold harsh weather and make absolutely sure you have everything you need to make this cold weather experience a safe and successful one, which always makes us looking forward to get back in the cold…
Thierry Hingray,
Chief, Mirabel Flight Test
Chef, Essais en vol, Mirabel
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada
