Course Description

This course is offered once per year on-campus and once per year distance learning.   The course is designed to provide an extensive examination of Avionic communications and navigation systems, their modes of operation, and procedures for evaluating and testing the equipment are formulated.  Electromagnetic interference and compatibility testing is discussed.  Voice and datalink communication testing is discussed.  Ground based radio navigation aids and GNSS flight testing are discussed.  Inertial navigation systems and the testing of integrated navigation systems are explained.

Anticipated Course Learning Outcomes

Be familiar with the fundamentals of:

• Antennas
• EMI/EMC
• Inertial Navigation Systems
• Integrated Navigation Systems
• Data Link Communications and Tactical Datalinks
• Transponders and ADS-B

Understand the:

• Fundamental concepts behind GNSS and GNSS augmentation systems.

Know the technique for:

• Evaluating radio communication intelligibility
• Evaluating GNSS as installed on aircraft
• Evaluating systems for Required Navigation Performance (RNP) operations
• Evaluating ground based NavAids

Course Description

This course is offered once per year on-campus and once per year distance learning. The course is designed to provide a primary emphasis on the evaluation of civil avionics systems and the means of showing compliance with the applicable Civil Regulations i.e., Code of Federal Regulations Title 14 and Regulations (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Since many of the civilian requirements are now applicable in military aircraft, this module is especially important for those individuals involved with showing military compliance with these civil requirements. The importance of Flight Management System evaluation in today’s automated cockpits will be emphasized. The student will be instructed in the evaluation and test of proximity warning systems such as Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance (TCAS) and Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS). Flight Guidance Systems, Automated Landing Systems, Weather RADAR, Reduced Vertical Separation Minima and civil certification of positioning and navigation systems will be examined. A history of the Civil certification regulations and other documentation, as well as the Human Factors impact to certifications, will be addressed. Controls and Displays implementation, and Software considerations in the certification process, as well as considerations for complex systems are also identified.

Anticipated Course Learning Outcomes

Be familiar with:

• The history and overview of Civil certification requirements
• Civil certification requirements for software
• Civil certification requirements for Avionic systems

Understand:

• Civil certification requirements for crew station controls and displays
• Human Factor effects on Civil certification requirements for Avionic systems
• Civil certification requirements for Flight Management Systems and Flight Guidance Systems
• Civil certification requirements for landing systems

Know:

• The Civil certification process for issuing design, production and airworthiness approvals
• The test and evaluation process of avionic systems to show compliance with Civil regulations

Course Description

This course is offered once per year on-campus.  The course is designed to assist the student in the development and test of airborne RADAR systems.  Lectures cover the many types and functions of today’s multi-mode RADARs and evaluating performance through flight test.

Anticipated Course Learning Outcomes

Be familiar with:

• EW Introduction and Integrated Air Defense systems (IADS)
• Electronic Attack
• Electronic Protection
• Electronic Support

Understand:

• Basic RADAR fundamentals
• RADAR modes of operation
• Pulsed, Doppler and Pulse Doppler RADAR
• Test and Evaluation of EW Systems

Know:

• Test and Evaluation of Air-to-Air RADAR
• Test and Evaluation Air-to-Ground RADAR

Course Description

This course is offered once per year on-campus.  The course is designed to address the unique testing requirements when evaluating a UAV system.  It is assumed that the participants are generally knowledgeable in manned aircraft flight testing as this course builds on that knowledge.  Course lectures will introduce the students to UAV-specific testing when compared to manned Fixed and Rotary Wing testing.  Issues such as data latency, human factors, data link coverage, failure modes, contingency management, telemetry issues, guidance, navigation and control, mission planning, and sensor cueing/integration will be addressed.  Flight Test Techniques for testing both Remotely Piloted and Command Directed (autonomous) Vehicle modes will also be covered.

Anticipated Student Academic Outcomes

Be familiar with:

• The techniques for UAV guidance, control, and limit protection flight test
• The techniques for UAV command and control link and sensor link ground/flight test
• Airworthiness Requirements (Civil and Military) for UAVs
• The requirements for assessing human factors of UAV Ground Control Stations (GCSs)

Understand:

• The fundamental differences in ground/flight testing of a UAV system versus a manned aircraft
• The primary modes for controlling a UAV, to include Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) and Command Directed Vehicle (autonomous) operations
• The fundamentals behind UAV data link communications
• The concept of sense and avoid systems and their importance to UAV operations
• The techniques and data analysis for Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) systems ground/flight test

Know:

• The techniques for assessing human factors of UAV Ground Control Stations (GCS)
• The development of a structured test plan/cards for UAV systems ground/flight test
• The fundamentals of safety planning and risk mitigation for UAV systems ground/flight test
• The approach to safely and effectively executing a UAV systems flight test sortie