Model Preparation Facilities

ARA has all the facilities required to prepare a model for testing from balance calibration to model assembly.

Balance Calibration

All of ARA’s manufactured balances are calibrated in-house in the Balance Calibration Laboratory; this service is also available for customer supplied balances for models being tested at ARA.

For more information on the features of this facility click here.

Secure Model Bays

There are five model preparation bays (four of which are secure) which are connected to the working section of the Transonic Wind Tunnel (TWT) by a system of tracks and turntables.

Each model is fully assembled in a secure model bay on a dedicated cart which supports the model when installed in the test section of the TWT. Once the model preparation and instrumentation checks have been completed, the model cart is wheeled into the TWT test section.

Depending on the security level required by the customer, models can be covered with blackout covers to disguise the model during transit between the model bay and TWT test section.

PSP Spray Booth

To accomodate tests using Pressure Sensitive Paint ARA has a spray painting booth for model preparation.