20 December 2023
In the series ‘NLR People’, we show you who the experts at the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre are, what drives them, and what they are working on behind the scenes. In this episode: Marthijn Tuinstra, principal scientist and aeroacoustics specialist at the Aerospace Vehicles Department.
13 June 2024
Just like other large moving transport vehicles, helicopters and drones produce noise. To reduce nuisance for people in surrounding areas NLR actively researches reducing noise at the source, for example by designing silent propellers. Equally important, is the capability to predict noise of rotorcraft to regulate and ensure people do not experience excessive hindrance due to operations. When it comes to fixed wing planes, trains or cars, established tools are readily available to predict noise levels. For rotorcraft, however, tools are lagging behind. The NORAH project fills this gap for (local) authorities to perform noise impact assessments.
01 October 2025
We are proud to announce that our CEO Tineke van der Veen has joined the Board of the NIDV - Nederlandse Industrie voor Defensie en Veiligheid.
24 January 2025
“If aviation is to function properly, both the civil and the military sides, it’s important that planes and helicopters are available enough of the time. If aircraft break down or if components can’t be delivered, it reduces the availability figure. In this programme, we investigate how that availability can be improved, for instance using new technologies.”
08 January 2024
The next generation of rotary-wing platforms is being developed to meet the challenges of civil mobility demands, providing increased speed, range and productivity to bridge the gap between conventional helicopters and fixed-wing platforms. The novelty and increased complexity of these platforms demand a great deal of testing. This is where the ATILLA project comes into play with its unique and complex tiltrotor wind tunnel testbed.
06 February 2025
Each part task and whole task that is defined in the blueprint of the training needs to be analysed via the BLE method (blended learning) designed by NLR. Also, requirements emerging from the training concept need to be taken into account (e.g. data gathering requirement for performance based training or interconnectivity requirements for a live virtual constructive environment). The principle of the BLE method is a questionnaire that defines the minimum user requirements of the media for each training element (e.g. whole task, part task, supporting theory). Those user requirements guide the selection or development of the training media.
06 February 2025
The Training Needs Analysis is the beginning of a training design process. It provides insights into the trainees, their starting point and the intended end goal. NLR uses a competency based training approach to ensure the professional is prepared for a multitude of nominal and adverse situations. A competency contains skills, knowledge and attitudes that are necessary to exercise one’s profession in the operational context.
25 February 2025
NLR can provide expert support during accident or incident investigations, offering specialist advice and analysis of critical data such as flight or radar records. Our team can also delve into the details of flight performance and dynamics, as well as investigate systems, components, materials, or structures through testing and analysis. This helps to uncover the root causes of incidents and inform safety improvements.
18 April 2024
In the series ‘NLR People’, we show you who the experts at the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre are, what drives them, and what they are working on behind the scenes. In this episode: Arjan de Jong, Principal R&D Engineer at the Maintenance and Engineering Technology (MAE) department.