AeroTex are highly active in the area of in-flight icing research. In particular, we are currently working on a number of FFG-funded projects, which are listed below.
PRECISE
The PRECISE project (Propeller Research Experiments Conducted for Ice Scaling Evaluation) focuses on significantly advancing the understanding of icing scaling on propellers, improving the accuracy of numerical tools, and refining experimental methods to document and analyse ice shapes and shedding. The Austrian project consortium can offer unrivalled combined competencies in numerical and experimental icing research. Collaboration with NASA allows testing at both the NASA IRT and RTA facilities.
IceDrone
IceDrone aims to develop viable technical solutions to overcome the current limitations of operating multi-rotor UAVs in icing conditions.
AeroTex are involved in numerical simulation as well as managing and reporting the IWT test campaign.
IWT-Research
The IWT-Research project is feasibility study for the development of a new Icing Wind Tunnel facility in Austria, to complement the existing facilities in Europe. AeroTex are providing support to define the required capability of such a facility.
PrISM
The PrISM project (Propeller Ice Shed Measurement) developed an improved test capability for large-scale propellers at the RTA icing test facility, as well as developing test methods for energy measurement of shed ice and numerical simulation tools for ice accretion and shedding. AeroTex led the project, which ran from January 2022 to June 2024
3D-ICESIM
The 3D-ICESIM project aimed to significantly improve 3D numerical ice shape prediction capability, whilst at the same time generating high-quality validation data for the simulation tools. Improvements to the droplet impingement tools were made, as well as development of a new solver for generic geometries. Testing in the RTA facility on a generic 3D model provided a significant database of ice shapes, including features such as droplet shadow and enhancement regions.
JOICE
JOICE, the Joint Austrian In-Flight Icing Research Venture 2020+, was the Austrian flagship R&D project in the field of aircraft icing and was publicly co-funded by the Federal Ministry of Austria for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) (now BMIMI) as part of the Austrian Aeronautics Programme TAKE OFF via the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).
All-weather Drone
All-weather Drone was an R&D project in which the effects of defined severe weather conditions (rain, snow and in-flight icing) on the operation of multicopters with 25 kg maximum take-off weight and the implications on performance and, hence, safety of flight were investigated. The international and multidisciplinary consortium consisted of 10 organizations and was supported by an expert advisory board. As part of the project detection capabilities were developed for flight of multicopters in such weather conditions together with ice protection systems. Regulatory recommendations were derived from the project work to ensure that aviation authorities have a data-based framework in which to assess the risks associated with UAS operations in severe weather conditions. Additionally, market and industry relevant aspects were researched and incorporated into the project work to leverage the outcome.