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 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. One additional sortie is 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.

Anticipated Student Academic Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:

Be Familiar With
1.  Aircraft Control Systems.
2.  Jet Cruise.
3.  Mach Effects on Stability and Control
4.  Dimensional Analysis
5.  Drag Polar
6.  Takeoff and Landing
7.  Energy Management
8.  Subsonic Aerodynamics
9.  Closed Loop Handling Qualities
10.  Aero-elasticity
11.  Standard Atmosphere
12.  Longitudinal Non-Linearities
13.  Light Aircraft Engine-Out
14.  Transonic Aerodynamics

Understand
15.  Pitot-Statics
16.  Propeller Cruise
17.  Climb Performance
18.  Longitudinal Static Stability
19.  Longitudinal Maneuvering Stability
20.  Lateral-Directional Static Stability
21.  Stalls
22.  Equations of Motion & Dynamics

Course Description

This two-week introductory course is structured for engineers, pilots and flight test support personnel who require practical experience in:

1. Evaluating helicopter performance, stability and control and handling qualities.

2. Obtaining the required data in flight and performing the analysis post flight.

3. Comparing Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 14 and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations and relevant military specifications to the data obtained.

This course can also serve as a refresher course for experienced flight test personnel. The classes prepare the students to effectively plan and conduct efficient flight tests. Students participate as aircrew on several flights in helicopters gathering data for post-flight analysis. Prior to the flights a simulator is used to demonstrate the flight test techniques used during the flights. All students will be given an opportunity to complete a flight from the pilot seat.

Subjects Covered

The first week of the course focuses on helicopter performance and the second week on helicopter flying qualities. During the course flights will be completed to evaluate the following aspects of the specific helicopter: The first week of the course focuses on helicopter performance and the second week on helicopter flying qualities. During the course flights will be completed to evaluate the following aspects of the specific helicopter:

1. Pitot Static System Position Error Correction

2. Hover Performance

3. Engine Assessment and Performance

4. Level Flight and Forward Flight Climb and Descent Performance

5. Low Airspeed Characteristics

6. Longitudinal and Lateral Directional Static Stability

7. Longitudinal and Lateral Direction Dynamic Stability

At the conclusion of the course students present their findings and recommendations in an oral report to the instructors.

Pre-requisites

There are no formal prerequisites for attendance at this course. Familiarity with algebra, technical reporting and personal computer operation (including word processing, spreadsheet, and chart making) are helpful.

Schedule

The course is scheduled five days per week for a two-week period. Classes are normally conducted from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. daily with a 1-hour lunch period. However, on days when flying is scheduled, the preflight briefing normally begins at 7:30 a.m.

Course Description

This two-week course is especially suited to aircrew, engineers and analysts who require an introduction and hands-on experience in Avionics Systems Flight Test.  This course is designed for newcomers to the field, experienced personnel who are returning to the field and Flight Test Managers and support personnel newly assigned to a systems flight test program.  In addition to systems theory and operating practice, the principles and techniques of avionics flight testing are emphasized to provide students with a firm understanding and background necessary to participate immediately in any flight test program upon return to their respective organizations.  Practical flight exercises are structured to build on material covered in the classroom lectures and to reinforce the students’ knowledge through practical application of theory.

Subjects Covered

Introduction
Navigational Aids
Electro Optics 
Avionics Systems Flight Test
Data Acquisition
Oral & Written Reports
Basic Navigation
GPS
TRB/SRB
System Architecture
Communications
Human Factors
Instrumentation
RADAR
INS
TSPI
RADAR Test
Controls & Displays
CEP And Statistic
S/W Development
HUD

Pre-requisites

There are no formal prerequisites for attendance at this course. Familiarity with calculus, mechanics, technical reporting and PC operation (MS Office) are helpful.

Course Description

The course teaches basic flight test principles, concepts, and processes of Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E).  Classroom instruction is reinforced by two demonstrations to provide “hands-on” experience in OT&E flight testing. A final project flight further reinforces the classroom instruction.  The final project uses operational requirements/capability documents to plan, flight test, and report on how well an aircraft or system meets mission needs.

This course develops a “customer-centric” view of testing by providing an overview of current OT&E philosophies, processes, concepts and issues.  Specifically the course provides an understanding of how OT&E fits into the acquisition process, the interrelationships of DT&E and OT&E, how test objectives are derived from user requirements, and the importance of relating test results to mission requirements.  The course is extremely beneficial to anyone involved in OT&E; to DT&E testers who interface with OT&E; and to Program Office personnel, Program Managers and Test Managers whose programs are subject to OT&E and who would need to certify a system ready for OT&E.  The course is continually updated based on customer feedback.

Subjects Covered

The Acquisition Process
Performance & Handling Qualities Test
DT&E and OT&E Philosophy and Processes
Techniques
User Requirements Process
Overview & Laboratory Exercise
OT&E test criteria development
Test Crew Resource Management
Test Planning and Data Concerns
Crew Station Evaluation Techniques
Risk Management and Test Safety
Workload Assessment Techniques
Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability
OT&E Lessons Learned
Testing Integrated Systems

Course Information

The OT&E course is offered four times each year.  This course and others may be offered at the customer’s location. Please review the OT&E Joining Instructions (PDF) prior to joining. Call for more details.