Frequently Asked Questions

[Genghis the Engineer]

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 (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35593)
How to enter the flight test profession(s)
Discussion on the possibility of FTE and TP licensing (from about the 5th post) (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=85194)
Flight test engineer/Test Pilot Wanabee (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=74618)
Flight Test Jobs - where are they? (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=138439)
French/German Test Pilot Licences (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=67274)
How to become a test pilot? (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=69018)
TPS versus degree courses (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=141804)
Wanabee test pilot (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=54094)

Obituary threads
Carroll Beeler (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=88427)
Scott Crossfield (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=222603)
John Cunningham (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=60625)
David Davies (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=113826)
Gerard Guillaumaud (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=254295)
James Hardiman (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=155963)
Cliff Rogers (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=80934)
Crew of STS 107 (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=80205)
Taylor Scott (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=218556)
Don Wylie (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=110196)
Jan Zurakowski (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=118626)

Other Testing issues
Control harmonisation (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=206952)
Inertial coupling (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=140424)
Engine fire (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=153872)
Water-Methanol injection (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=208833)

Pitot Static Issues
Methods of ASI / PEC Calibration (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=206656)
Trailing static (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53917)
Static vent position (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58489)
Use of GPS in pitot-static calibrations (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35647)

Specific Types
A320 (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35658)
BAe 146 (for firefighting) (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=144969)
Baron 58 (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=106291)
Bulldog T.1 (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=93113)
Goldwing (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35689)
Harrier .v. JSF (lift engines) (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=90847)
Jabiru (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=101555)
Jet Provost (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35679)
Saunders Roe SR53 (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=150975)

Stalling and Spinning
Deep Stall (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=204551)
Spinning 1 (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=73595)
pitching motion during spins (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=67864)
Cessna Spin (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53339)

Rotary flight test
Displaying streamlines in downwash (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=134861)
Becoming a rotary TP (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=133214)
Are helicopter Test Pilots different? (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=130745)

Flight Test Nostalgia
Test pilot tribute thread. (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=210269)

What jobs are available at the moment
Heads up - flight test jobs (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=142108)

[Milt]

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.

[ICT_SLB]

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.

[Fafe]

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!