UK Civil Flight Test

[Si Clik]

Rumour has it that the CAA have chosen to delete their flight test department and rely either on manufacturers or EASA to cover the gap.

I am not clear how this will work with respect to State aircraft registration or modifications which EASA won't cover. Perhaps the MOD might be asked to cover this like they do in the Netherlands?

I am a bit surprised that such a major change to the regulatory environment hasn't been the subject of some form of external consultation. :confused:

[Genghis the Engineer]

It's not a rumour, although somewhat accelerated by both the remaining TPs at CAA being so fed up of the changes that both have resigned.

How CAA is going to manage flight testing in the future is far from clear - I *think* there may be an FTE left at the Belgrano, but however good he may or may not be, it leaves an incredibly gap in the capability of the authority.

British industry should be extremely concerned. I don't think that CAA headshed have consulted with the industry about these changes at-all.

[Si Clik]

I am surprised given the Europe issue and the gravitas of this issue that no one has gone to the press - I'm sure Flight International would be interested?

[gordon field]

Just how much flight testing is now carried out by the CAA TPs when aircraft certified by EASA are no longer subjected to additional testing upon arrival into the UK?

Part 25 Airliners, Commuters, Executive Jets and Part 23 aircraft from western world manufacturers are tested and certified to mutually agreed standards. Major avionic, autopilot, performance enchancements and engine upgrades are again tested to known standards.

TPs cannot remain current on a range of types and can be hired for specific tasks and many manufacturers hire TPs as and when required.

I have flown with many CAA TPs and am full of admiration for many but some pushed the envelope too far (Do228) and killed others.

Times have changed and thi needs to be recognised.

[Aunty Talk]

The CAA has done a sterling job of retaining a credible flight test team in recent years. Until last week it had 3 - 4 Flight Test Engineers including a FW Performance and handling qualities specialist, an Avionics expert and a very experienced Rotary Wing FTE graduate of ETPS. Its 2 ETPS trained test pilots covered every thing from single seat autogyros to A380s ...and did it safely and professionally as hopefully anyone who has flown with them will testify.

Since EASA came into being some 10 yrs ago the CAA has supported the aims of the agency. Four CAA FTEs started up EASA's Flight Test Department and all of the CAA flight test team have continued to certify and validate mainstream aircraft under contract to EASA; sometimes in multinational teams.

Additionally the CAA has retained the necessary capability for national certification of Annex II (non EASA) aircraft including the Police aircraft, non standard experimental aircraft (Met Flight etc) + Section S Microlights and Section T gyros.

The CAA has restructured SRG and merged it with Airspace to become SARG.

Genghis has it about right, but contact the CAA for more info.