651:/POH. Information the manufacturer provides on these charts has been gathered from test flights conducted in a new aircraft, under normal operating conditions while using average piloting skills, and with the aircraft and engine in good working order. Engineers record the flight data and create performance charts based on the behavior of the aircraft during the test flights. By using these performance charts, a pilot can determine the runway length needed to take off and land, the amount of fuel to be used during flight, and the time required to arrive at the destination. The data from the charts will not be accurate if the aircraft is not in good working order or when operating under adverse conditions. Always consider the necessity to compensate for the performance numbers if the aircraft is not in good working order or piloting skills are below average. Each aircraft performs differently and, therefore, has different performance numbers. Compute the performance of the aircraft prior to every flight, as every flight is different.
143:
test program (among many other program requirements) are spelled out in the statement of work. In this case, the government is the customer and has a direct stake in the aircraft's ability to perform the mission. Since the government is funding the program, it is more involved in the aircraft design and testing from early-on. Often military test pilots and engineers are integrated as part of the manufacturer's flight test team, even before first flight. The final phase of the military aircraft flight test is the
Operational Test (OT). OT is conducted by a government-only test team with the dictate to certify that the aircraft is suitable and effective to carry out the intended mission.
303:
134:(EASA). Since commercial aircraft development is normally funded by the aircraft manufacturer and/or private investors, the certifying agency does not have a stake in the commercial success of the aircraft. These civil agencies are concerned with the aircraft's safety and that the pilot's flight manual accurately reports the aircraft's performance. The market will determine the aircraft's suitability to operators. Normally, the civil certification agency does not get involved in flight testing until the manufacturer has found and fixed any development issues and is ready to seek certification.
291:
187:
710:. Other FTEs or pilots could also be involved. Other team members would be the Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer, Instrumentation System Technicians, the aircraft maintenance department (mechanics, electrical techs, avionics technicians, etc.), Quality/Product Assurance Inspectors, the ground-based computing/data center personnel, plus logistics and administrative support. Engineers from various other disciplines would support the testing of their particular systems and analyze the data acquired for their specialty area.
279:
690:
206:, 21 September 2014. Includes footage as the first stage maneuvers out of the second stage plume; coasting near peak altitude of approximately 140 km (87 mi); boost-back burn to limit downrange translation; preparing for the reentry burn; and the reentry burn from approximately 70 km (43 mi) to 40 km (25 mi) altitude. Does not include the landing burn near the ocean surface as clouds obscured the infrared imaging at low altitude.
730:
189:
193:
192:
188:
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659:
allow the pilot to predict aircraft performance for variations in density altitude, weight, and winds all on one chart. Because of the vast amount of information that can be extracted from this type of chart, it is important to be very accurate in reading the chart. A small error in the beginning can lead to a large error at the end.
191:
670:
off values from charts to a more conservative figure. Using values that reflect slightly more adverse conditions provides a reasonable estimate of performance information and gives a slight margin of safety. The following illustration is an example of interpolating information from a takeoff distance chart:
658:
The information manufacturers furnish is not standardized. Information may be contained in a table format, and other information may be contained in a graph format. Sometimes combined graphs incorporate two or more graphs into one chart to compensate for multiple conditions of flight. Combined graphs
323:
The document used to prepare a single test flight for an aircraft is known as a Test Card. This will consist of a description of the Test Points to be flown. The flight test engineer will try to fly similar Test Points from all test plans on the same flights, where practical. This allows the required
142:
Military programs differ from commercial in that the government contracts with the aircraft manufacturer to design and build an aircraft to meet specific mission capabilities. These performance requirements are documented to the manufacturer in the aircraft specification and the details of the flight
654:
Every chart is based on certain conditions and contains notes on how to adapt the information for flight conditions. It is important to read every chart and understand how to use it. Read the instructions provided by the manufacturer. For an explanation on how to use the charts, refer to the example
481:
Emergency situations are evaluated as a normal part of all flight test program. Examples are: engine failure during various phases of flight (takeoff, cruise, landing), systems failures, and controls degradation. The overall operations envelope (allowable gross weights, centers-of-gravity, altitude,
713:
Since many aircraft development programs are sponsored by government military services, military or government-employed civilian pilots and engineers are often integrated into the flight test team. The government representatives provide program oversight and review and approve data. Government test
669:
Not all of the information on the charts is easily extracted. Some charts require interpolation to find the information for specific flight conditions. Interpolating information means that by taking the known information, a pilot can compute intermediate information. However, pilots sometimes round
269:
on revenue launches—can be subject to the latter's statistically demonstrated higher risk of accidents or serious incidents. This is mainly due to the unknowns of a new aircraft or launch vehicle's handling characteristics and lack of established operating procedures, and can be exacerbated if test
319:
prepare the test plan, which is essentially certain maneuvers to be flown (or systems to be exercised). Each single test is known as a Test Point. A full certification/qualification flight test program for a new aircraft will require testing for many aircraft systems and in-flight regimes; each is
109:
There are typically two categories of flight test programs – commercial and military. Commercial flight testing is conducted to certify that the aircraft meets all applicable safety and performance requirements of the government certifying agency. In the United States, this is the
Federal Aviation
662:
The remainder of this section covers performance information for aircraft in general and discusses what information the charts contain and how to extract information from the charts by direct reading and interpolation methods. Every chart contains a wealth of information that should be used when
95:
and documenting the vehicle capabilities when the vehicle design is complete, or to provide a final specification for government certification or customer acceptance. The flight test phase can range from the test of a single new system for an existing vehicle to the complete development and
324:
data to be acquired in the minimum number of flight hours. The software used to control the flight test process is known as Flight Test
Management Software, and supports the Flight Test Engineer in planning the test points to be flown as well as generating the required documentation.
178:. For minor upgrades the testing may be conducted by one of these three organizations in isolation, but major programs are normally conducted by a joint trials team (JTT), with all three organizations working together under the umbrella of an integrated project team (IPT) airspace.
485:
Because the primary goal of a flight test program is to gather accurate engineering data, often on a design that is not fully proven, piloting a flight test aircraft requires a high degree of training and skill. As such, such programs are typically flown by a specially trained
701:
The make-up of the Flight Test Team will vary with the organization and complexity of the flight test program, however, there are some key players who are generally part of all flight test organizations. The leader of a flight test team is usually a
190:
314:
For both commercial and military aircraft, as well as launch vehicles, flight test preparation begins well before the test vehicle is ready to fly. Initially what needs to be tested must be defined, from which the
482:
max/min airspeeds, maneuvers, etc.) is established and verified during flight testing. Aircraft are always demonstrated to be safe beyond the limits allowed for normal operations in the Flight Manual.
414:
When the aircraft or launch vehicle is completely assembled and instrumented, many hours of ground testing are conducted. This allows exploring multiple aspects: basic aircraft vehicle operation,
506:
It includes the analysis of a flight for certification. It analyze the internal and outer part of the flight by checking its all minute parts. Reporting includes the analyzed data result.
310:
prototype; a long plastic tube, shown wound round a storage drum, is connected to a probe with static pressure orifices. The probe is trailed about two wing spans behind the aircraft.
270:
pilot training or experience of the flight crew is lacking For this reason, flight testing is carefully planned in three phases: preparation; execution; and analysis and reporting.
803:
647:
Performance charts allow a pilot to predict the takeoff, climb, cruise, and landing performance of an aircraft. These charts, provided by the manufacturer, are included in the
830:
391:
During the flight, these parameters are then used to compute relevant aircraft performance parameters, such as airspeed, altitude, weight, and center of gravity position.
96:
certification of a new aircraft, launch vehicle, or reusable spacecraft. Therefore, the duration of a particular flight test program can vary from a few weeks to years.
990:
388:
Specific calibration instruments, whose behavior has been determined from previous tests, may be brought on board to supplement the aircraft's in-built probes.
888:
406:
for subsequent data analysis. This provides for safety monitoring and allows for both real-time and full-simulation analysis of the data being acquired.
221:
of a particular launch vehicle design. Reusable spacecraft or reusable booster test programs are much more involved and typically follow the full
975:
418:, engine performance, dynamic systems stability evaluation, and provides a first look at structural loads. The vehicle can then proceed with its
320:
typically documented in a separate test plan. Altogether, a certification flight test program will consist of approximately 10,000 Test Points.
254:
214:, as well as a few reusable spacecraft, must necessarily be designed to deal with aerodynamic flight loads while moving through the atmosphere.
123:
441:
Aero-elastic/flutter stability, evaluates the dynamic response of the aircraft controls and structure to aerodynamic (i.e. air-induced) loads;
438:
evaluates aircraft in relation to its projected abilities, such as speed, range, power available, drag, airflow characteristics, and so forth;
447:
Structural loads measure the stresses on the airframe, dynamic components, and controls to verify structural integrity in all flight regimes.
166:
are the programs designed to teach military test personnel. In the UK, most military flight testing is conducted by three organizations, the
61:. Instrumentation systems are developed using proprietary transducers and data acquisition systems. Data is sampled during the flight of an
807:
980:
999:
862:
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Avionics/systems testing verifies all electronic systems (navigation, communications, radars, sensors, etc.) perform as designed;
265:
Flight testing—typically as a class of non-revenue producing flight, although SpaceX has also done extensive flight tests on the
839:
335:, to record that data for analysis. Typical instrumentation parameters recorded during a flight test for a large aircraft are:
935:
783:
455:
Weapons delivery, which looks at the pilot's ability to acquire the target using on-board systems and accurately deliver the
199:
163:
266:
146:
Flight testing of military aircraft is often conducted at military flight test facilities. The US Navy tests aircraft at
663:
flight planning. Examples of the table, graph, and combined graph formats for all aspects of flight will be discussed.
1018:
616:
602:
159:
147:
394:
During selected phases of flight test, especially during early development of a new aircraft, many parameters are
80:. This data is validated for accuracy and analyzed to further modify the vehicle design during development, or to
556:
131:
913:
AGARD-AG-160-VOL-2, AGARD flight test instrumentation series. Volume 2: In-flight temperature measurements, p.30
892:
462:
An evaluation of the separation of the ordnance as it leaves the aircraft to ensure there are no safety issues;
415:
378:
366:
327:
Once the flight test data requirements are established, the aircraft or launch vehicle is instrumented with a
435:
432:, which evaluates the aircraft's controllability and response to pilot inputs throughout the range of flight;
217:
Many launch vehicles are flight tested, with rather more extensive data collection and analysis on the early
552:
677:
Preparation and
Validation of charts and tables from model estimation to predict the aircraft performance.
768:
495:
92:
81:
46:
that develops specialist equipment required for testing behaviour and systems of aircraft or testing the
17:
1033:
753:
743:
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The individual effects are added to the tested (non-standard) conditions to obtain the performance at
1028:
1023:
953:
384:
Engine performance parameters (pressure and temperature at various stages, thrust, fuel burn rate).
43:
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773:
541:
328:
151:
74:
55:
302:
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After the flight testing, the aircraft has to be certified according to their regulations like
225:
paradigm of traditional aircraft testing. Previous and current test programs include the early
155:
608:
Non-standard (tested) conditions are studied by incorporating standard mass, altitude, speed,
758:
572:
Flight data processing includes filtering, bias correction and resolution along flight path (
234:
680:
This will enable the pilot to operate effectively and safely and do performance comparisons.
778:
763:
703:
491:
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996:
866:
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Model estimation for a wide range of atmospheric conditions, flight and engine parameters.
8:
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403:
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66:
47:
181:
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533:
429:
203:
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pilots may also participate in the actual test flights, possibly even on the first/
643:
3. Preparation and
Validation of Performance Charts for Operating Data Manual (ODM)
620:
494:, and often visually displayed to the test pilot and/or flight test engineer using
474:
465:
342:
115:
1003:
521:
355:
348:
222:
167:
278:
27:
Branch of aeronautical engineering that develops and gathers data during flight.
218:
211:
127:
119:
70:
51:
1012:
748:
715:
419:
307:
295:
230:
529:
525:
422:, a major milestone in any aircraft or launch vehicle development program.
242:
238:
689:
87:
The flight test phase accomplishes two major tasks: 1) finding and fixing
694:
171:
88:
707:
573:
487:
77:
58:
33:
804:"Sierra Nevada's Dream Chaser spacecraft tested at Broomfield airport"
369:, measured with accelerometers at different positions in the aircraft;
928:
Introduction to
Aerospace Engineering with a Flight Test Perspective.
395:
226:
182:
Atmospheric flight testing of launch vehicles and reusable spacecraft
958:
609:
585:
Calculation of In-flight thrust using In-Flight Thrust Deck (IFTD).
345:
and temperature, measured at various positions around the fuselage;
62:
631:
627:
537:
513:
425:
There are several aspects to a flight test program, among which:
332:
175:
991:(link corrected) a lot of current Flight Test programs (German)
250:
32:"Test flight" redirects here. For the software QA service, see
588:
Documentation of Flight performance with standard procedures.
560:
381:
deflection (stick/yoke, rudder pedal, and throttle position);
985:
986:
CAFE Foundation flight testing of general aviation aircraft
635:
963:
863:"Reusable rocket prototype almost ready for first liftoff"
200:
controlled-descent flight test of the Falcon 9 first stage
596:
2. Reduction of Flight performance to standard conditions
548:
111:
981:
Cranfield
University Subject Listing for Flight dynamics
582:
Estimation of thrust using
Performance Cycle Deck (PCD).
451:
Testing that is specific to military aircraft includes:
948:
579:
Analysis of mission segments from the flight test data.
375:
Internal temperature (in cabin and cargo compartments);
655:
provided by the manufacturer for that specific chart.
591:
Validation and updating of
Aircraft performance model.
351:
in the wings and fuselage, including vibration levels;
831:"SpaceX moving quickly towards fly-back first stage"
725:
838:
567:1. Flight Performance Evaluation and documentation
512:Aircraft Performance has various missions such as
294:Pressure measurement equipment and water tanks in
1010:
267:post-mission phase of a returning booster flight
865:. Spaceflight Now. 9 July 2012. Archived from
806:. dailycamera.com. 29 May 2012. Archived from
601:Model estimation of Aircraft Performance with
339:Atmospheric (static) pressure and temperature;
693:Flight test engineer's workstation aboard an
889:"Mitigating Risk for Non Standard Flights"
855:
822:
796:
563:'s Air Staff Compliance and Requirements.
331:(DAS), or data acquisition unit (DAU) and
559:'s Certification Specifications (CS) and
501:
688:
301:
289:
277:
260:
185:
828:
282:Static pressure probe on the nose of a
99:
14:
1011:
784:List of aerospace flight test centres
471:Radar/infrared signature measurement;
372:Noise levels (interior and exterior);
137:
976:NASA Introduction to Flight Testing
949:Society of Experimental Test Pilots
684:
398:during the flight and monitored by
24:
920:
706:(FTE) or possibly an experimental
25:
1045:
942:
617:International Standard Atmosphere
603:International Standard Atmosphere
306:Static pressure probe rig aboard
202:from stage separation onward, on
104:
964:Flight Test Society of Australia
954:Society of Flight Test Engineers
829:Lindsey, Clark (28 March 2013).
728:
160:U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
148:Naval Air Station Patuxent River
997:Flight Training Programs Module
402:and test support engineers, or
132:European Aviation Safety Agency
970:Airplane Stability and Control
907:
881:
273:
13:
1:
789:
959:Flight Test Safety Committee
490:, the data is gathered by a
409:
164:U.S. Naval Test Pilot School
7:
769:Flight test instrumentation
721:
496:flight test instrumentation
84:the design of the vehicle.
10:
1050:
754:Cooper-Harper rating scale
744:Index of aviation articles
343:Dynamic ("total") pressure
255:SpaceX Starship prototypes
31:
1002:17 September 2017 at the
396:transmitted to the ground
365:Accelerations in all six
1019:Aerospace system testing
124:Civil Aviation Authority
44:aeronautical engineering
774:Data acquisition system
542:Basic fighter maneuvers
329:data acquisition system
198:Thermal imaging of the
993:Source: FliegerWeb.com
698:
502:Analysis and reporting
311:
299:
287:
207:
156:Edwards Air Force Base
759:Aerospace engineering
692:
612:setting individually.
317:Flight Test Engineers
305:
293:
281:
261:Flight test processes
197:
91:problems and then 2)
779:Tethered flight test
764:Flight test engineer
704:flight test engineer
492:flight test engineer
466:air-to-air refueling
100:Aircraft flight test
436:Performance testing
354:Aircraft attitude,
284:Sukhoi Superjet 100
247:Falcon 9 prototypes
736:Spaceflight portal
699:
638:is considered too.
430:Handling qualities
367:degrees of freedom
312:
300:
288:
223:envelope expansion
208:
204:Falcon 9 Flight 13
128:the European Union
120:the United Kingdom
1034:Test spaceflights
936:978-1-118-95336-5
605:conditions (ISA).
379:Aircraft controls
360:angle of sideslip
195:
138:Military aircraft
16:(Redirected from
1041:
914:
911:
905:
904:
902:
900:
891:. Archived from
885:
879:
878:
876:
874:
859:
853:
852:
850:
848:
843:on 16 April 2013
842:
837:. Archived from
826:
820:
819:
817:
815:
800:
738:
733:
732:
731:
685:Flight Test Team
475:Aircraft carrier
349:Structural loads
219:orbital launches
196:
116:Transport Canada
110:Administration (
21:
1049:
1048:
1044:
1043:
1042:
1040:
1039:
1038:
1029:Product testing
1024:Aviation safety
1009:
1008:
1004:Wayback Machine
945:
926:Stephen Corda:
923:
921:Further reading
918:
917:
912:
908:
898:
896:
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869:on 15 July 2012
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619:conditions for
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416:flight controls
412:
356:angle of attack
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212:launch vehicles
186:
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107:
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71:launch vehicles
52:launch vehicles
42:is a branch of
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943:External links
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939:
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895:on 20 May 2009
880:
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835:NewSpace Watch
821:
810:on 31 May 2012
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114:); in Canada,
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105:Civil aircraft
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40:Flight testing
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749:Maiden flight
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716:maiden flight
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667:Interpolation
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621:Certification
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308:Boeing 747-8I
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296:Boeing 747-8I
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231:Space Shuttle
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927:
909:
897:. Retrieved
893:the original
883:
871:. Retrieved
867:the original
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845:. Retrieved
840:the original
834:
824:
812:. Retrieved
808:the original
798:
712:
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666:
665:
661:
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646:
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634:, effect of
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530:Deceleration
526:Acceleration
510:Introduction
509:
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424:
413:
393:
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326:
322:
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264:
243:Dream Chaser
239:SpaceShipTwo
216:
209:
152:US Air Force
145:
141:
108:
86:
39:
38:
29:
695:Airbus A380
477:operations.
400:flight test
274:Preparation
172:BAE Systems
69:testing of
67:atmospheric
48:atmospheric
18:Test flight
1013:Categories
899:31 January
790:References
708:test pilot
574:Trajectory
540:and other
488:test pilot
459:on target;
227:drop tests
122:(UK), the
78:spacecraft
59:spacecraft
34:TestFlight
697:prototype
410:Execution
298:prototype
286:prototype
126:; and in
118:(TC); in
93:verifying
50:phase of
1000:Archived
847:29 March
722:See also
610:throttle
544:, etc..
457:ordnance
162:and the
150:and the
82:validate
75:reusable
63:aircraft
56:reusable
873:13 July
632:Landing
628:Takeoff
538:Landing
534:Descent
514:Takeoff
333:sensors
229:of the
176:QinetiQ
934:
814:29 May
522:Cruise
404:stored
358:, and
253:, and
251:OK-GLI
233:, the
158:. The
130:, the
89:design
561:India
518:Climb
235:X-24B
65:, or
932:ISBN
901:2011
875:2012
849:2013
816:2012
636:Wind
630:and
626:For
557:EASA
210:All
174:and
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