Federal funds impact NIAR research
By Joe Kleinsasser
How important has $10 million in federal funding been to the National Institute for Aviation Research the past two years?
It’s very significant, according to Ramesh Agarwal, executive director of the National Institute for Aviation Research.
Agarwal and Fred Sudermann, senior adviser to WSU’s president, credit Rep. Todd Tiahrt and the Kansas congressional delegation for making the funding a reality.
"The university is most grateful for Congressman Tiahrt’s leadership in securing these funds through the congressional appropriations process," says Sudermann.
"It’s made a tremendous difference for the institute, which is a Kansas Technology Enterprise Corp. Center of Excellence, and the Wichita aviation manufacturing companies," says Agarwal. "It has really given a big boost to our research program in aviation safety areas and it has certainly created a framework for obtaining additional dollars in the future.
"It has given us the credibility that the faculty are doing good work and that we are second-to-none in the areas of crashworthiness and composite materials. We’re getting to that level in icing research and aerodynamic testing and certification."
The funding also will modernize the 50-year-old Walter H. Beech Wind Tunnel. "Upgrading the wind tunnel is our highest priority," says Agarwal, who estimates that it will take at least $2 million to make the improvements.
Without the upgrade, the wind tunnel would have become unusable in a couple of years, Agarwal says. That would have meant greatly reduced research capabilities and a lost ability to serve Wichita manufacturers.
"It has given great service, but everything has a life," says Agarwal. "After 50 years, it was time that we did something."
Once the specifications are determined and the work begins later this year, it will take six months to a year for the refurbished wind tunnel to be up and running.
Most of the first $5 million appropriation was for faculty research in such areas as deicing, composite materials, damage tolerance, crashworthiness, virtual reality and fuel tank safety.
Approximately $1 million of the current $5 million appropriation is expected to support faculty research projects.
FAA officials recently visited WSU to get an update on research projects and told Agarwal they were "extremely pleased" with NIAR’s progress and industry’s participation.
Agarwal expects to receive an updated list of research priorities from the FAA to share with faculty.
Depending on faculty capability and response, federal funds will support new projects or provide additional support to existing projects.
