The «Centre d’Etudes Aérodynamiques et Thermiques» (CEAT) is a joint technical department created by the University of Poitiers and the «Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Mécanique et d’Aérotechniques» (ENSMA), that holds a unique partnership with the Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, (CNRS) through its laboratories. The principal role of the CEAT is to provide the necessary technical environment to sustain and extend research activities in the fields of fluid mechanics, energetics, mechanics, material sciences tribology and acoustics. It has facilities that are capable of storing and supplying up to 100m3 at 200bars of compressed air to feed supersonic wind tunnels located at the CEAT site. In addition to having state of the art instrumentation, the CEAT has an expertise in the management of research programs extending to the European aeronautic industries (EADS, CNES/ESA, SAFRAN, AIRBUS, DASSAULT, Rolls-Royce …) and its academic partners through European contract (Frame Work Research Programs). Most importantly, the CEAT provides a research environment where safety and confidentiality is considered a priority.