Safety
Micro Sensors Could Deliver More Consistent Air Data
UK/Canadian technology avoids vulnerability to vibration and pitot tube blocks
Surrey Sensors and 3C
Certification Center Canada and Surrey Sensors are jointly developing a new type of air data sensor.

Certification Center Canada (3C) is teaming with UK start-up Surrey Sensors to develop a new type of air data instrument for aircraft that avoids the vulnerabilities of current sensors to factors such as vibration and pitot tube blockages involving ice, water, and debris. The partners have secured funding from the National Research Council of Canada and Innovate UK to produce more advanced prototypes of the technology over the next 18 months.

The system combines Surrey Sensors’ micro constant-temperature anemometer with 3C’s Airflow Performance Monitor pressure-based system, which detects contamination to wings and rotors from ice accretion. It can provide pilots with real-time warnings about the need to deploy anti-icing measures.