The history of the institute for aerospace research (IAR) was discussed. IAR is a leader in the development of a knowledge-based economy for Canada. The institute operates eight wind tunnels, turbine engine and combustion test cells, compressor/exhauster facilities, facilities for materials and structures research and a fleet of aircraft for conducting research projects in flight. The institute also has extensive facilities for high speed computing of computational fluid dynamics and structural analysis. IAR helps in ensuring Canada's place at the forefront of the global aeronautics industry through the use of appropriate and competitive leading edge science and technologies.