PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Flight test tips please
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Old 2nd Aug 2011, 11:45
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Mad (Flt) Scientist
 
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I'll just add to the above - plan for whatever you're testing not to work.

You're not testing to determine the generic characteristics of the type - that was done to get the type certificate. You're testing to confirm that the specific aircraft behaves the same as the type design, and has been built properly.

So, for example, your a/c has a stick pusher. What's the plan if it fails to fire? How will you know it should have fired? Is there anything you can check before the point of no return to increase confidence it will fire.

You're not checking boxes - or, if you are, you're setting yourself up for a nasty outcome. You're deliberately violating normal flight limitations to the point where rather than systems like the stick pusher being the final safety element, they are going to be the only safety element. Best to have a plan B.
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