Ray Stinson, President of Miramichi Airport, is pleased to announce that the Airport has completed the first stage of its marketing plan for a former military jet engine test cell.

The test cell was sold to Miramichi Airport, when it assumed control of the airfield, as part of the changeover of CFB Chatham from an air to a land-based operation in 1990.

MDS Aero Support of Ottawa was hired to prepare an aerodynamic and acoustic study to identify the range and type of engines that could be tested in this facility. The study included a site visit for a physical inspection to verify the condition and usability of the test cell.

The final Evaluation Report reveals:

• The building and its components are in good condition,
• Aerodynamically the test cell is capable of running fan engines up to 7000lbs** thrust,
• Structurally, the facility was designed for use with a floor-mounted thrust frame. The inertia pad and foundations were only designed for an engine thrust up to 3700lbf. Larger engines would require modifications to the building.

The report concludes that the "test cell can be used for testing small turbo fan engines but will require significant work to first replace the systems that have been removed, then to upgrade the facility to meet the needs of the targeted engines."

Ray Stinson says, "We regard the engine test cell as a key component of our business plan. When we find a tenant for this facility it will serve as an anchor for the Airport Business Park, and complement the existing businesses, such as LaFarge Canada and Help Desk Now. The benefit to the community will be good jobs and a self-sufficient and viable airport."

Steve Morris, Manager Technical Marketing, MDS Aero Support, says, "Building upon this existing facility provides an excellent opportunity to establish engine test capability at a significantly lower cost"

The J85 Engine Test Cell was built circa 1987 for the Canadian Forces to test J85-Can-15 after-burning engines following repairs/overhauls of the engines. The facility was mothballed shortly after it was commissioned because the Canadian Forces re-located the squadron.

Miramichi Airport began operating the 800-acre airfield under a lease with the Department of National Defence in the fall of 1990.

In August 1994, Miramichi Airport received title to the property, including some hangars, airport equipment and the engine test cell. The marketing effort for the test cell continued over the years but this is the first time that a ‘technical evaluation report’ was completed.

MDS Aero Support of Ottawa, who were involved in the initial facility construction, prepared the report. Miramichi Airport, ACOA and Business New Brunswick are contributing to the cost of the report. This report will be useful to Major Repair and Overhaul (MRO) companies. The information will provide a critical evaluation of the capability of the facility.