T&E 4107 Airplane Performance and Flying Qualities Flight Laboratory
Course Description
This course is designed to satisfy the demand for engineers, pilots and flight test support personnel who require practical experience in aircraft performance, stability and control, handling qualities, flight test instrumentation data handling, as well as a working knowledge of FAA and military specifications pertaining to piloted aircraft.
Classroom academics are tailored to prepare the students for practical in-flight tests. Seven flights are performed in a medium weight transport aircraft. These aircraft have been instrumented to serve as in-flight laboratories. On each of the sorties the students participate as flight test engineers, gathering data for post-flight analysis. Four additional sorties are flown in light aircraft to allow the students to give practical hands-on experience in performing the various flight test techniques as a pilot. At the conclusion of the course, students present their findings and recommendations on both mission suitability and regulatory compliance in an oral report to the staff.
Sequence of Instruction
Introduction
Aircraft Control Systems
Jet Cruise
Dimensional Analysis
Longitudinal Static Stability
Takeoff and Landing
Subsonic Aerodynamics
Longitudinal Maneuvering Stability
Closed Loop Handling Qualities
Standard Atmosphere
Longitudinal Non-Linearities
Transonic Aerodynamics
Pitot-Statics
Lateral-Directional Static Stability
Mach Effects on Stability and Control
Drag Polar
Equations of Motion & Dynamics
Energy Management
Propeller Cruise
Stalls
Aeroelasticity
Climb Performance
Light Aircraft Engine-Out
Pre-requisites
The two-week Introduction to Flight Testing Course has no formal prerequisites. Students have attended the course with every thing from a doctorate in aerospace engineering to high school graduates only. The course can be tailored somewhat to the individuals attending, but familiarity with calculus is a plus.