The first and only of its kind, this flight research facility was designed to simulate an authentic airport experience from start to finish. From terminal check-in, to security, boarding, flying and deplaning, including realistic flying conditions, this research centre allows companies to evaluate a passenger’s complete air travel experience to improve safety, efficiency, and comfort for Canadian travellers and visitors.

Working closely with NRC researchers, a functional programme was developed to meet the requirements of specific research components. Dedicated spaces include a shaker table room, which is used to simulate a pilot’s experience flying a helicopter, complete with excessive vibrations and noise, and mechanisms to analyse the effects on a person. The high bay cabin research area simulates flight by recreating the experience of the being in the fuselage, with vibration, darkness, and sound, and allows monitoring of people’s behaviour including levels of stress. The aircraft on the apron outside acts as another lab that also simulates travel experience by including pressure changes with capacity to measure stress levels of travellers.

Photos by Eric Fruhauf.