A Control Room for the World’s Largest Engine Testing Facility

 Delta Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the country. Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Delta Airlines operates more than 5,400 flights daily, serving 325 destinations on six continents.

 To continue being at the forefront of aviation innovation, Delta Airlines cut the ribbon on the world’s largest engine test facility. Also located in Atlanta, the 48-foot testing facility is capable of running a mounted, stationary engine at full power with 150,000 pounds of thrust.

 Ken Evers, Engine Testing Facilities Manager at Delta, is in charge of managing this state-of-the-art facility, along with two other testing facilities. Overseeing 141 personnel, including 21 supervisors, Evers manages the operation as a whole.

A Facility of the Future

 The new engine facility broke ground in October 2017 and took 18 months to complete. During construction, Evers led a team of three Delta employees to oversee the design. Soon, the time came to address the professional test control room of the facility.

 “We needed something that would match the showcase of the building,” said Evers. “We saw a lot of simple, uncomplicated control rooms during our initial search.”

 While in construction, a member of Evers’ team came across Winsted online. After some online research, the Delta team went up to Winsted’s facilities, where it was apparent that this would be a match.

 “We saw the work they do, and we were impressed,” said Evers. “They matched what we were looking for and how we wanted to come across to our market.

 In addition to aesthetic, the overall quality of the furniture stood out to the Delta team. 

“When we arrived at the showroom, we quickly discovered the quality they build into their product,” said Evers. “A lot of the furniture we saw from other companies didn’t look like it would hold up to continuous use.”

Helping Delta Get to Their Destination 

Like any project, Winsted was eager to help Delta Airlines find the best solution for their new test chamber control room. 

“When we sat down with them, their design team just started pitching stuff at us, said Evers. “They threw out some sketches and basic designs from the get-go, and it got us pointed in the right direction.” 

Winsted was able to get the testing chamber products installed rather quickly. 

The control room consists of a three-person workspace containing one test console with a supervisor desk. The consoles include Winsted’s ergonomic Impulse Dual Sit/Stand consoles, which provide the operators with independently adjustable, ergonomically curved work surfaces. Additionally, the space is retrofitted with powdered-coated steel cabinets. 

“The shape and design flow well with the room we were looking for, said Evers. “Winsted stands behind their product, and they’re going to make sure you’re happy. They’re going to take care of you.” 

There are plans for the control room to be a continuous workspace, where three operators will work 12-hour shifts around the clock.