Experimental Flight Testing
Flight Testing by Experimental Test Pilots.
The Flight Test Society of Australia is in the process of trying to summarise the responsibilities of the Experimental Test Pilot and would appreciate comments on the following draft.
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1. Determination and verification of flight characteristics and the envelope boundaries of aircraft and their occupants..
2. Investigation of flutter/aeroelasticity boundaries.
3. Verification and determination of performance and handling compliance with air vehicle and power plant design specifications..
4. The certification of aircraft types in accordance with airworthiness or certification requirements.
5. The investigation and determination of the interaction of marginal atmospheric conditions on aircraft and aircrew.
6. Handling assessment and suitability for type service.
7. Assessment of types for role suitability.
8. Compliance of stability, control and manoeuvreability with design specifications
9. Determination of detailed performance for compliance with design requirements and the compilation of operational manuals.
10. Evaluation or development of airborne systems and special test instrumentation.
11. Determination of weapons and stores carriage, release and separation parameters.
12. Evaluation of the effectiveness of weapons.
13. Determination of performance and handling incremental improvements.
14. Investigation of the suitability, adequacy and performance of aircraft systems, including the interfaces between aircrew and their survival equipment.
15. Contribution to the development of airfield and aircraft support equipment
16. The dissemination of the results of Experimental Flight Testing as a contribution to the continuing development of aircraft design and the safety margins for employment.
Contributions will be appreciated