Collins Aerospace Propeller Center of Excellence in Figeac

To support innovation for the aviation of the future, Collins Aerospace has invested massively in Occitanie in a center of excellence, dedicated to the development of propellers for future generations of turboprop engines. Ratier-Figeac, a Collins entity and global leader in high-power propellers, opened its Propeller Center of Excellence in 2021, which is home to a design office, as well as new testing and manufacturing resources, intended for the development of the technological bricks, which will make up the blades and propeller systems of tomorrow.

In addition to strengthening its technological resources and industrial equipment, the firm has sought to sustain its activities and strengthen its attractiveness, thanks in particular to the training of its new employees. This resulted in an increase in the workforce of more than 60 people, divided between engineering and operations.

Its engineers are involved in regional and European projects, such as Hélios and Clean Aviation, in which Collins Aerospace is a stakeholder. The conclusions of these projects, whose technological roadmaps are largely focused on innovation, will power future turboprop platforms and will largely contribute to the decarbonization of aviation.

Furthermore, the design of the center of excellence buildings was intended to reduce the industrial carbon footprint. The heating of the design office, for example, is carried out by the recovery of the heat released by the industrial process, meaning there is a significant reduction in the use of fossil fuels.

This center of excellence, whose total investment amounts to €32 million, of which €2 million comes from the Occitanie region, has participated since its completion in the development of low-carbon aviation, as well as regional, national and even international business. 

These new facilities were inaugurated in October 2021 in the presence of the French Prime Minister and were awarded the “Competitiveness and Innovation” prize by Business France during the second edition of the “Choose France” Awards.

“As a Collins Aerospace employee for almost four years, my work consists of finite element modeling of bird impacts occurring on blades made of composite materials. Building and developing digital models that are used to optimize the development of the next generation of propellers is very rewarding for me, because the issues related to the optimization of resources and the environment will prove decisive for our business and our future. And even more so when you live here in the Lot, a green, natural and well-preserved region.”

Marta Rallo Ayerbe - Mechanical Engineer in the Propeller Design Office