After the very sad news that the Jetpod prototype has crashed, killing the company owner Michael Dacre I would be very grateful if the experts on this thread might venture an opinion on a couple of questions.
British aviation pioneer dies after prototype crashes in Malaysia - Times Online
What are the normal protocols for flight testing a prototype like this?
Would the aircraft have been fitted with a Flight Data Recorder (i.e. is it mandatory for testing a jet aircraft in this category)?
Given that it appears that the testing was being undertaken in Malaysia, would the UK AAIB have any input into the investigation of the accident (apparently the aircraft in question belongs to a Malaysian subsidiary of Avcen)?