Frequently Asked Questions
 

This sticky contains links to previous threads where commonly asked questions have been addressed. It's not all-encompassing, or intended to stop anybody starting new threads, but hopefully will save re-inventing the wheel too often.

If anybody thinks other threads or links should be added in, please post them below and I'll take a look and if appropriate add them to the list with my thanks. Also, don't forget there's an excellent "sources of information" sticky on tech-log.

Safe testing,

G

Genghis the Engineer
Flight Test Forum Moderator


Cockpit design
Anthropometry
How to enter the flight test profession(s)
Discussion on the possibility of FTE and TP licensing (from about the 5th post)
Flight test engineer/Test Pilot Wanabee
Flight Test Jobs - where are they?
French/German Test Pilot Licences
How to become a test pilot?
TPS versus degree courses
Wanabee test pilot

Obituary threads
Carroll Beeler
Scott Crossfield
John Cunningham
David Davies
Gerard Guillaumaud
James Hardiman
Cliff Rogers
Crew of STS 107
Taylor Scott
Don Wylie
Jan Zurakowski

Other Testing issues
Control harmonisation
Inertial coupling
Engine fire
Water-Methanol injection

Pitot Static Issues
Methods of ASI / PEC Calibration
Trailing static
Static vent position
Use of GPS in pitot-static calibrations

Specific Types
A320
BAe 146 (for firefighting)
Baron 58
Bulldog T.1
Goldwing
Harrier .v. JSF (lift engines)
Jabiru
Jet Provost
Saunders Roe SR53

Stalling and Spinning
Deep Stall
Spinning 1
pitching motion during spins
Cessna Spin

Rotary flight test
Displaying streamlines in downwash
Becoming a rotary TP
Are helicopter Test Pilots different?

Flight Test Nostalgia
Test pilot tribute thread.

What jobs are available at the moment
Heads up - flight test jobs

What is the state of the art on flight testing airborne computers controlling such things as flight controls, autopilots, glass flight decks through to pax entertainment systems.?

Do we TPs and FTEs just wait for or induce some failures and then assess the consequences or do we examine statistics to highlight problem areas?

A seperate thread may prove to be significent.

Milt,
There's now almost a sub-industry of testing & the units required for this. The main item is known in our company as a "System Integration Test System (or Rig) SITS or SITR. This usually contains both the main Avionics (AP, FMS, sensors, displays, Input/Output devices etc) plus a radio rack and sub-system rigs such as Flight Control units, Stall Computers, FADECs and so on. Backing all these, are simulation computers to allow the system to "fly" and to set individual inputs & discretes for logic verification etc.

Some companies have plans for complete rigs so that the entire integrated systems can be tested before the airframe is even built.

MTOW from helipad, engines rates.
 

Good morning, I would like to know where it is written, in CS 29, the power rate used (in engines with 2' and 30" rate) to establish the MTOW from helipad.
Let me explain better: in CS 29.67 "Climb: One Engine Inoperative" it says: "The critical engine inoperative and the remaining engines within approved operating limitations, except that for rotorcraft for which the use of 30-second/2- minute OEI power is requested, only the 2-minute OEI power may be used in showing compliance with this paragraph".
Is it perhaps 30" as I could guess from CS 29.62 "Rejected Take-off: Category A" where it says: "The remaining engines operating within approved limits"?
Thanks for your answers!