The Canadian Aerospace Industry Creates GARDN, Green Aviation Research & Development Network

         This research and development partnership in green aviation
       dedicated to developing green engine and aircraft technologies
     demonstrates the aerospace industry's commitment to the environment

    OTTAWA, May 6 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian aerospace industry today
unveiled GARDN, the Green Aviation Research & Development Network, a new
network of centres of excellence that brings together industry, university and
government partners to lower noise and emissions pollution produced by the
aerospace industry and ultimately to reduce its ecological footprint.
    Claude Lajeunesse, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Aerospace
Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) and Chairman of GARDN's Board of
Directors, underscored the importance of this initiative for the industry.
    "GARDN's work will increase the research-development capacity of players
from our industry and strengthen Canadian know-how in green technologies for
the aerospace industry," Lajeunesse said. "In addition, GARDN will enhance
public-private collaboration and help develop highly qualified personnel in
the environmental field."
    "The establishment of this partnership confirms the global leadership of
Canada's aerospace sector and also firmly demonstrates the industry's
determination to develop engines and aircraft that are more environmentally
friendly, to the benefit of future generations," he added.
    With an initial budget of $23 million over four years funded equally by
the federal government and participating aerospace companies, GARDN will focus
on eight research themes: noise, emissions, materials and manufacturing
processes, performance, icing, aircraft operations, alternative fuels and
product lifecycle management.
    Nine research projects on these themes will be conducted by Pratt &
Whitney Canada (5), Bombardier Aerospace (3) and CMC Electronics (1) during
the program's first phase.
    GARDN could also participate in other Canadian environmental
collaboration initiatives, as well as in the activities of international
organizations.

    Partners

    The industrial leaders of GARDN are three major players in Canada's
aerospace industry: Pratt & Whitney Canada, Bombardier Aerospace and Esterline
CMC Electronics. They are joined by eight leading Canadian universities -
Ecole de technologie supérieure (ETS), McGill University, Ecole Polytechnique
de Montréal, Sherbrooke University, Concordia University, University of
Waterloo, Ryerson University and the University of Toronto (University of
Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies - UTIAS) - as well as by four
well-established SMEs (Messier-Dowty, Aercoustics, Integran and Standard
Aero). AIAC and CRIAQ will be responsible for overall management of the
network.

    The AIAC is the national trade association representing Canada's
aerospace manufacturing and services sector. As the world's fourth largest
aerospace industry, Canada's aerospace sector generates $23 billion annually
and employs more than 80,000 Canadians. Eighty-two per cent of Canadian
aerospace products are exported. AIAC represents the interests of 400
aerospace companies across Canada.

For further information: Maryse Harvey, Vice-President, Public Affairs,
Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, (613) 760-4562