In 2015, Canada’s aerospace industry created 211,000 jobs and contributed more than $28 billion to the country’s gross domestic product. To remain competitive in this critical export market, Canadian manufacturers need to produce aircraft that meet tough new environmental rules in Europe and many other countries. In 2009, Canada’s major aerospace companies joined forces with suppliers, customers, and university and government researchers to develop lighter materials, alternative fuels and quieter engines for a new generation of greener airplanes, engines and avionic systems that will enter into service by 2025.
The Green Aviation Research and Development Network (GARDN) was an industry-led consortium of 40 public and private sector partners, including industry heavyweights like Bombardier Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Esterline CMC Electronics and Bell Helicopter Textron Canada. GARDN targeted the “valley of death” in the innovation supply chain, which includes prototyping, testing and demonstrating early-stage, pre-competitive research on next-generation aircraft, engines and avionics systems. During its first phase (2009-2014), GARDN’s research program supported 17 projects related to emissions reduction, noise reduction, aircraft operations, airport operations, alternative fuels, life cycle management, and materials and manufacturing processes. The network’s research program was refocused for its second phase around three main research thrusts: clean, quiet and sustainable air transportation systems. Sixteen projects have been selected.