The NRC representing Canada on the world stage in aviation research

- Ottawa, Ontario

Dr. Ibrahim Yimer takes over as Chair of the International Forum for Aviation Research (IFAR)

IFAR's Leadership Team transition ceremony

Success comes in many different forms at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). Whether it be a scientific breakthrough, technological innovation or career advancement, we are proud to highlight our achievements at home and abroad.

The NRC's Aerospace Research Centre has been collaborating with the Canadian aerospace industry for over 75 years, helping clients overcome their product development and certification challenges. The research centre is playing a leading role in the international aerospace sector with Dr. Ibrahim Yimer, Director General of the Aerospace Research Centre, taking the reins as Chair of the International Forum for Aviation Research (IFAR) for the next 2 years. Dr. Yimer will continue to represent the NRC and Canada amongst the 26 member countries (which represent 36,000 researchers in total) while serving as the Chair of the world's only aviation research establishment network.

IFAR aims to connect research organizations worldwide to enable discussions and exchange information on aviation research activities and opportunities. Their goal is to develop a shared understanding of the challenges faced by the global aviation research community.

In November 2020 and February 2021, the NRC hosted virtually the 11th annual IFAR Summit. This allowed Canada to facilitate international discussions on aviation research among IFAR's member organizations (including NASA, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)). The theme of this summit was Regulation and Certification. During the summit, IFAR signed a new agreement between the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the NRC as the lead organization aimed at accelerating and improving the assessment of new aviation technologies and innovation platforms. This is a significant step forward for both organizations, which establishes an IFAR-ICAO expert group that will review the latest developments in the area of urban air mobility (UAM). IFAR and ICAO will use the group's findings to understand how the 2 organizations can collaborate on future projects. The NRC has taken a leading role in championing the IFAR-ICAO collaboration.

In October 2021, the NRC took part in the 12th Annual IFAR Summit in Warsaw, Poland. The NRC and members discussed the technical and regulatory challenges currently faced by the aviation industry as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and finds ways to reduce emissions. Dr. Yimer showcased the NRC's latest advancements in sustainable aviation, notably the Low-Emission Aviation Program (LEAP) and the Hybrid Electric Aircraft Testbed (HEAT).

Members also agreed to a summit declaration, which highlights IFAR's partnership with ICAO, IFAR's commitment to sustainable aviation and the post-pandemic recovery, and the beginning of Ibrahim Yimer's term as IFAR Chair. As part of this declaration, members agreed to focus on increasing fuel efficiency, reducing emissions and investing in future net-zero propulsion solutions like hybrid-electric propulsion, sustainable fuel, and hydrogen. The NRC also committed to hosting an IFAR-ICAO event concurrently with the International Aerospace Innovation Forum 2022 in Montréal, Quebec in April 2022.

"The National Research Council of Canada continues to recognize the importance of enabling scientific collaboration among the international community of aviation experts and providing insights to support and propel IFAR's research priorities".

Dr. Yimer.

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