Norwich Airport opens new engine testing centre
Norwich Airport has officially opened its purpose-built engine testing centre to reduce aircraft noise for neighbouring communities and support aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities at the airport.
The new facility represents a £1.4 million investment by airport owners Rigby Group plc and is another significant milestone in the airport’s ongoing strategy of upgrade and improvement.
The testing centre is a bespoke high tech facility only usually found at larger airports like Stansted or Heathrow. It features a 10m-high, three-sided aluminium acoustic barrier designed to minimise aircraft noise during engine runs.
Engine testing is vital to the work of the Norwich Airport-based aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul businesses and their airline customers.
Norwich Airport managing director Richard Pace said: “This investment will make a significant contribution to improving the local environment by using the latest noise reduction technology. We are committed to making Norwich Airport one of the best in its class and to being a good neighbour, and are delighted to be celebrating the official launch of this important project.”
Alan Waters, leader of Norwich City Council, said: “Norwich has long been the economic and cultural heart of East Anglia so we welcome the opening of this significant facility.
“The engine testing centre is helping to deliver some really positive outcomes for the city by contributing to the employment offer of the airport, adding high value engineering jobs and improving the environment for the benefit of nearby residents. These three elements link back to two of the council’s corporate priorities for the city and its residents – having a safe and clean city which is also prosperous and vibrant.”
Designed by industry leaders APS of Germany, who have more than 30 years of noise protection experience, the engine testing project was managed by Norwich-based Canham Consulting and built by Cromer-based MacKinnon Construction. The new centre came into service in April this year.
Richard Pace added: “This is a world class engineering facility made possible by the airport management team working closing with our local authorities to bring it to fruition.”
