A-400M Tests Focusing on Propulsion

The EPI TP400-D6 engines have racked up a lot of hours, but the hurdles are getting higher.  It looks like meeting the bird-strike engine recovery specs will be presenting some challenges.  FlightGlobal has one of the most in-depth pieces that I have seen in the article at the link below.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/31/357303/epi-boss-details-progress-on-a400m-engine-programme.html

Kiwi Jetpack Starts to look Viable

Those of us who have been around a while remember the jetpacks that folks would fly into sporting events with and wow the crowds.  They didn't stay in the air very long, nor did they go very high.  These folks in New Zealand may be on the verge of changing all that.  It's a lot bigger and bulkier, but that may make the difference to give it a useful range and altitude.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/kiwi-invented-jetpack-reaches-new-heights-4197115

Keep an eye on this one, let's see how the manned trials go.

G-650s are Back in the Air

The best way to honor the work that has been done to date is to get back on track and finish the job.  I'm glad to see that Gulfstream has re-established enough confidence in the airplane to get on with testing.

http://www.bradenton.com/2011/05/28/3231934/gulfstream-resumes-g650-flight.html

787 Moving into ETOPS Work

While there are a lot of customers who are frustrated with the 787 production and flight test delays, the vast majority have stuck with their orders.  Now that flight test is closing in on completion I guess we will find out if the wait was worth it.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=comm&id=news/awx/2011/05/24/awx_05_24_2011_p0-327402.xml&headline=Boeing%20787%20Poised%20For%20ETOPS%20Tests

Army Test Center to Move to Redstone from Rucker

The idea of packing up and entire flight test organization and moving it to a new location is daunting, but not unprecedented.  USAF testing was once largely based at Wright Field in Ohio, but is now centered at Edwards AFB in California.  The folks at Fort Rucker have earned a solid reputation for great work, known even to Air Force scum like your blogger.  The latest BRAC has caused a move to Redstone.  The good news is that a lot of test infrastructure is already in place there.  Guess we'll see how it goes over the next couple of years.

http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/08/06/25565-aviation-test-center-relocates-to-redstone/

B-747 to fly Upgraded Trent 1000

Rolls Royce has apparently made some modifications to the Trent to improve cruise performance as well as reliability.  Upcoming tests should confirm the claims if all goes well.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/20/357025/improved-trent-1000-to-fly-on-boeings-787.html

Flight Test at its Finest

Talk about test hops... Nice gig, if you can hook it up!

http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_soon-space-tourists-can-enjoy-beer-in-zero-gravity_1545330

G-650 Production continues, but...

...but I can't really tell if flight test has resumed or not.  Anybody know?

http://www.amtonline.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=13518

F-35B Rolling Towards Carrier Vertical Trials

The word seems to be that the plane has flight characteristcs very similar to the F/A-18.  While this might sound like a step backward, as a Hornet veteran with about 320 hours, I'm here to tell you that of all the fighters I've flown: F-4, F-5, A-7, F-15, F-16, F-18... the Hornet was the absolute MOST fun in a knife fight!  Almost totally care-free at AOAs as high as you want to go.  All this and V/STOL too?  Works for me!  (I have to admit that the F-18 top-end was always a bit disappointing, so hopefully they can milk a bit more out of the F-35, but you've got nothing to complain about for now.)

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=6525163&c=AME&s=AIR

Boeing 787-I Tests Continue to Focus on Structures

While systems tests are also on the cards as well, the nail-biting, "SETP-counter" stuff remains ensuring that the structural loads and aeroelastic predictions hold true.  So far, so good according to their PR folks.

http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/first-boeing-747-8i-completes-flutter-and-modal-tests-29678/

G-650 Minimum Control Speeds to Rise?

While Gulfstream is still determined to deliver on initial orders by next year, it looks like some performance targets may have to wait until refinements are made on the plane.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/16/356693/ebace-speed-hike-likely-after-g650-crash.html

Eurocopter X3 Pushes the Speed Envelope

Flight test professionals will appreciate the article at the link below.  Unlike a lot of press-releases that are long on marketing and short on details, this one gives you a lot to chew on regarding what is being tested and how it's going.  But make no mistake: the marketing guys had their pens out too.  Look like an exciting project.

http://www.shephard.co.uk/news/rotorhub/eurocopter-x3-exceeds-speed-challenge/9072/

Dassault Falcon 2000S Getting Upgrades

A new wing with very pronounced winglets enters the arena as part of a 200-flight test program for the mid-sized business jet.  The aircraft also sports full-span leading edge slats and an upgraded engine.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/16/356606/flight-test-essential-logic-dassault-falcon-2000s.html

Gamera Helicopter Lifts Off

Although only for several seconds, the human-powered craft managed to lift off successfully.  There is even video of the flight.  Congrats!

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/05/students-human-powered-helicopter-achieves-lift-off.php

Turkish Anka/Phoenix and Sivrisinek/Mosquito UAVs In Active Test

It would seem that UAVs have become the darling of today's ground commanders.  (No surprise... As a rule, the ground forces have more operational control over UAVs and the intelligence they generate.)  As a result, these craft are gradually taking over the flight test portfolios of countries everywhere.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/12/356557/tais-anka-uas-attracts-foreign-interest.html

F-35 Flight Test Rate Continues Ramp-Up

They've been noted doing what appears to be wet runway work at Edwards of late, and now the first LRIP birds are starting to arrive at test bases.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lockheed-martin-f-35-program-flight-test-update-121645943.html

Gamera Helicopter to Launch Tomorrow?

Human powered rotary wing flight!  A tough nut to crack.  UMd has put a lot of work into this. 

We're rooting for you!!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/university-of-maryland-team-to-test-human-powered-helicopter-in-pursuit-of-prize-world-record/2011/05/11/AFhofrmG_story.html

Finland Tests Hawk Mk-66 Cockpit Upgrades

The plane is a time-tested workhorse, and like almost any solid airframe, the right black boxes can make it seem virtually brand new.  MFDs and flight recording equipment are nice items to add.  Are you guys thinking of putting in a HUD?

http://www.defpro.com/news/details/24365/?SID=f29d199e3956097d5848dbc3d746721c

NGC/Scaled "Firebird" OPV to Begin DoD Trials?

Back in the mid-80's, Northrop went out on a limb with the F-20 without having a definite government customer.  That didn't work out so well, but this one figures to have better luck.  The optionally piloted vehicle appears to be pretty versatile, especially if the "rapid systems integration" promise can be realized.

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/05/famed-spaceship-maker-gives-spy-drones-a-try/

Boeing 747-8 Max Weight Rejected Takeoff

The uninitiated might ask "What's the big deal?  They never even left the ground!"  But those who are familiar with flight test (like most readers of this blog) all know that many of the ground tests are the most risky tests of all.  The clip from the manufacturer has some good footage, and shows why few people volunteer for this kind of test.

http://blog.seattlepi.com/airlinereporter/2011/05/07/video-boeing-747-8-freighter-completes-ultimate-rejected-take-off/

V-750 UAV Helicopter Gets Airborne in China

I'm a retired USAF fighter pilot, so this one is triply difficult for me (helicopter, China, no pilot... Sheesh!  What's the world coming to?)  That said, I've got to give credit where credit is due, and this is a significant event in my book.  Let's see where it all goes...

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/photo/2011-05/07/c_13863514.htm

Gemera: Human-Powered Helicopter?

Rotorheads!  May 11th!  Stand by for something HUGE (in more ways than one)!  Never tell a group of college students that something is impossible unless you want to be humiliated.

http://www.laboratoryequipment.com/news-human-powered-helicopter-test-flight-050611.aspx

SpaceShipTwo Goes into Feathered Mode

The plane has taken another step towards readiness for a boosted flight.  It will have to feather to return using the planned trajectory, so this was a crucial test.  The plane seems to have worked as advertised.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=space&id=news/asd/2011/05/05/11.xml&headline=Scaled%20Performs%20First%20SS2%20Feather%20Flight%20Test

(Photo Credit: Clay Center Observatory)

F-35 Is Getting Serious about Going Vertical

At least two recent flights have taken the plane into the STOVL mode in settings closer and closer to what it will see operationally.  Is there an escape function that automatically links engine performance to a commanded ejection?  Anybody know?

http://www.defpro.com/news/details/24212/?SID=5c73a3a03684169ae4d2fe5c18bf4177

Boeing Phantom Ray UAV Makes a 17-Minute Flight

The skies over the Antelope Valley have been busy lately, and Boeing has been working overtime with multiple platforms in verious stages of test.

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/05/03/New-Boeing-drone-takes-flight/UPI-90971304443014/

An-148 Crash Due to Overspeed?

This at first sounds like pilot error, but reading a little more closely makes it look like Antonov Flight Test has some serious procedural issues.  How does a pilot display wind up showing a speed that is off by 60 knots?  Worse, how is it that the error was already known to the test team but not rectified?  And if it hadn't been rectified, how did the crew get airborne without sufficient knowledge of the problem?

This looks very strange to me.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/03/356204/crashed-an-148-was-60kt-over-never-exceed-speed.html

SU-35S Entering Production Flight Test?

If they haven't already, it looks like customer deliveries are about to begin.  The plane's family roots are clear in its overall fuselage shape in the pictures shown at the link below.

http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/05/03/49777478.html

Gulfstream G650 Details Slowly Emerge

Latest word continues to be that the plane was lost on takeoff as opposed to on landing.

http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/investigation-continues-into-g650-crash-29401/

Hindustan Aeronautics IJT Prototype lost during Test

An intermediate jet trainer apparently crashed during flight test on the 28th of April.  Both pilots got out, but not without injuries.  The problem appears to have occured at low altitude, since the pilots landed relatively close to the wreckage.  More details as they come in.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/article1818802.ece

(Photo credit: B Harry, ATCG.org)

MC-130J Begins Flight Testing

With an IOC of next year, systems testing will have to go very well for the plane to meet SOCOM's target dates.  Guess we'll see.

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/04/25/Flight-test-for-Combat-Shadow-II/UPI-41981303743589/

SpaceShipTwo Makes Fifth Glide Flight

Fourteen and a half minutes from drop altitude to touchdown gives a fair amount of time to check things out.  It's encouraging that the boss actually manned a crew station this time.  It may be sort of a "checkride" for the plane, pilots, and processes, which means that the airplane may be nearing the point where it is ready for the next step.

http://www.space.com/11472-virgin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-longest-glide-test-flight.html

Bell OH-58 Kiowa Also "Forever Young"

A new engine, transmission, and rotor system?  What the heck else IS there besides the seat cushions?  This is a new plane for all intents and purposes.

http://blogs.star-telegram.com/sky_talk/2011/04/-bell-makes-first-flight-of-oh-58-upgrade-demonstrator.html

Hawker Beechcraft 400-XPR Certification Tests

Systems testing remains the unsung backbone of the flight test profession as well as on-going improvements to aircraft capability and safety.  The real truth is that if you could put all the F-35 black boxes into Cessna Caravan and  put on a hard point or two to hang special delivery packages, you'd have 85% of the capability in all areas except stealth.  (Okay, 85% may be a little high, but you get the point.)  Anyway, the 400-XPR cert program now revolves around systems testing, so they've bumped up the fleet to get it done.

http://www.amtonline.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=13281

Soloar Impulse Is Back in the Air

It is perfectly reasonable to ask what possible use a single seat airplane the size of Rhode Island will ever be, but the same question could have been asked about The Spirit of St Louis or the Voyager.  It will be a long time before we find out where this really goes.  I'm looking forward to finding out.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/133511/20110412/solar-powered-airplane-test-flight-photos.htm

The flight apparently lasted about 2 hours.  You can get further details, as well as a list of sponsors, at the following link.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-18/solar-plane-backed-by-deutsche-bank-flies-for-two-hours-in-bern.html

MD-500 Composite Rotor First Flight

This helicopter is almost like the C-130, always being renewed, never really getting old.  In fact, there are several helos that probably fit into this category.  The Blackhawk is also being updated for service with several countries.

http://www.verticalmag.com/control/news/templates/?a=16666

B-747-8 Structural Loads

Loads testing is always a challenge.  I don't envy the FTEs in the back on this kind of sortie.  The front is infinitely better!  Take a look at the video.  They act like they're having fun, but you can bet they all had a very light meal before going on this ride.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110411/BLOG01/110419984

Gulfstream G-650 NTSB So Far

According to the current NTSB Preliminary, the airplane was performing a take off with a simulated engine failure to determine take-off distance requirements at minimum flap setting.  You can get (a few) more details by looking it up on the NTSB Mishap Query website.

http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=20110403X03645&key=1

Some witness reports implied that the plane was at a very high angle of attack as the sequence began, and that crosswinds were significant.