Messier-Dowty has unveiled a new landing-gear test centre at its Gloucester, UK, site after a year of construction. The Snecma Group company, which is a major Airbus supplier, has spent £7 million ($10 million) on the centre which, at 30,000m2 (320,000ft2), is 60% bigger than its predecessor. Testing is divided between critical strength and fatigue work designed to keep ahead of in-service aircraft lives. To avoid interrupting 24h testing, the building had to be constructed containing the intact 1930s plant it replaces. The older building was then demolished and removed from inside.
Source: Flight International
