Press Release

Issued by National Institute for Aviation Research.

June 25, 2007

The newly established Lightning Test Lab at Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research recently performed tests for its first client, Electromech Technologies.

Electromech, a custom design and manufacturing facility in Wichita, spent more than week at NIAR performing lighting induced transient susceptibility DO-160 certification tests on a flap system designed for the Quest Kodiak. 

Brent Dick, an electronic technician for Electromech, oversaw the tests at NIAR and was impressed with the facility.

"It's very nice," he said. "When all of the facilities are complete, it looks like NIAR will have more capabilities than anyone in town."

The flap system was originally scheduled to be tested in Minneapolis, but when Dick heard that NIAR's test facility was open for business, he suggested a change of plans.

"Because some of our work involves R&D, it's more convenient to do it locally," he said.

Not to mention that Dick had already developed a working relationship with all three of NIAR's lightning test technicians, who have a combined total of 55 years of experience in the field.

Dick said that Electromech will most likely continue to utilize NIAR's testing facilities in the future due to the quality of the testing experience and the time and money saved by doing the tests locally.

"This facility is great for anyone wanting to do local testing," he said.

The Lightning Test Lab is one of several environmental test labs scheduled to open at NIAR over the next few months to provide DO-160 certification. The Susceptibility Test Lab opened in May and provides certification for DO-160 sections 15-19 and 25.