Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

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.
The partners intend the technology to serve as a backup to the main air data ports, which, if blocked, can generate incorrect values for speed, angle of attack, sideslip, and altitude. Greater certainty about the data measured should also let flight crews be less conservative about using power-hungry wing heaters that increase fuel burn.
“We are taking measurements using both pressure and heat transfer, so there is no common failure mode between these two,” David Birch, Surrey Sensors’ director of research, told AIN. “We believe this is the first [air data monitoring] system that has this level of dual redundancy.”
<h2>Tiny Sensors</h2>
The sensor itself is tiny at just one-third of a millimeter in diameter. Using heat transfer, it measures temperature&nbsp;variations as air passes over it, much like how humans can use a moistened finger to sense which way the wind is blowing.
Engineers from Surrey Sensors and 3C are now defining the materials that will be used for the thermally and electrically insulated housing surrounding the sensor. It can be fitted to wings or helicopter rotor blades, which have so far been difficult surfaces for installing sensors.
With some flight testing on early examples complete, the partners are still weighing factors such as how deicing fluid or bird strikes could affect the sensor. Montreal-based 3C, which provides flight test and certification services, will raise the system’s technology readiness level by conducting flight tests under known icing conditions and at variable air temperatures.
In addition to being deployed on airplanes and helicopters, the partners also see use cases for the new sensor with drones and wind turbine blades. On aircraft, it is anticipated that at least two sensors would be installed under supplemental type certificates in locations including wings, tailplanes, and along the fuselage.
“Knowing your stall margin in all phases of flight is critical,” commented 3C marketing director Alistair Chapman. “Combining these technologies will both further address this safety issue and open up new possibilities for a rotary environment.”

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Micro Sensors Could Deliver More Consistent Air Data 

UK/Canadian technology avoids vulnerability to vibration and pitot tube blocks 

Surrey Sensors and Certification Center Canada believe they can support more consistent air data measurements as a back up to conventional pressure systems.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Recommendations follow analysis of 11 runway overruns from 2008 to 2022

NTSB Shines Spotlight on Wet Runway Safety

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Pilot certification and experience lapses lead to two fatal accidents

AINsight: Unlicensed Activity in Aviation

Kerry Lynch

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Agency has checked off a few recommendations but many are in process from NTSB’s KDCA investigation

FAA Progressing on NTSB KDCA Recommendations, but Much To Do

Radar provides 360-degree coverage with 15-kilometer range

Bird Strike Prevention Radar Deployed in South Africa

First webinar scheduled for June 17 covers unified upset recovery strategy

UPRTA Sets Free Quarterly Webinars, Fall Safety Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Safety

NTSB Shines Spotlight on Wet Runway Safety

Recommendations follow analysis of 11 runway overruns from 2008 to 2022

AINsight: Unlicensed Activity in Aviation

Pilot certification and experience lapses lead to two fatal accidents

FAA Progressing on NTSB KDCA Recommendations, but Much To Do

Agency has checked off a few recommendations but many are in process from NTSB’s KDCA investigation

Bird Strike Prevention Radar Deployed in South Africa

Radar provides 360-degree coverage with 15-kilometer range

UPRTA Sets Free Quarterly Webinars, Fall Safety Summit

First webinar scheduled for June 17 covers unified upset recovery strategy

OpsGroup Warns Pilots To Check LPV Approach Notams

Problem stems from design of missed approach segments

Smoke and Fire Events a Hot Topic at BASS 2026

Training is needed to prepare pilots for these high-risk challenges

More Than 100 TBM Owners Participate in Safety Program

TBMOPA-developed TAAP offers significant safety benefits

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN