Wittman Tailwind Crashes, Pilot Killed

Carb heat.  At first blush this one looks like it may not belong here.  The plane was a homebuilt and had already logged over 100 hours.  The pilot wasn't doing any envelope expansion or other fancy stuff.  The reason that I think this one is important is because it highlights that it is often the little things, the mundane, everyday things, that represent the lit fuses.  We lost a NASA X-31, for essentially the same reason, and we have lost flight test planes due to mid-airs, CG control mismanagement, and just plain loss of situational awareness.  This one looks like carb icing.  We've got to watch the worm-races when doing flutter clearance, but we also need to do all the little things that we do everyday just as carefully as always.

http://generalaviationnews.com/2013/12/02/test-flight-ends-in-crash-2/

Embraer Legacy 450 First Flight

The brief piece at the link below is really just letting us know that the flight happened and that they returned safely.  The fly-by-wire system really does open up a lot of future options that are harder to add to a hydro-mechanical system, but we will have to wait a while to see what it all leads to.

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Legacy-450-First-Flight221191-1.html

Boeing's Third 787-9 Test Bird Had Maiden Flight in November

Not to be outdone, Boeing is making more news than just union and construction site selection issues.  The link below is to a very short press release that gives a few hints of what is going on in their test program, including the first flight with the GEnx engines.

http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/13/11/n4093832/boeing-flies-third-787-9-dreamliner

Airbus A350-900 Over 20% Into Test Program

The story at the link below is from several weeks ago, and I am trying mightily to catch up on the latest happenings, but it does give a snapshot of Airbus' plans for their test fleet.  Actual test results remain pretty close-hold, but I will watch for more details and get them to you as soon as life gives me a window.

http://ainonline.com/aviation-news/dubai-air-show/2013-11-17/airbus-builds-a350-900-flight-test-hours

CarterCopter Pushing Out the Speed Envelope?

It isn't clear from the story below exactly when this flight took place, but if a small manufacturer's rotary-wing vehicle that is clearly not yet optimized for high speed can push it out to nearly 175 knots, we may have a paradigm-shift coming on the rotary-wing side of the house.  Let's see where this one goes...

http://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/helicopters/video-500-mph-helicopter

Has DARPA let the "Aurora" Cat out of the Bag?

Okay, the story at the link below smells really odd to me.  The promise is to develop a Mach 10 satellite launch vehicle that can put 5000 pounds into orbit and do the entire development for $154M.  Look for yourself.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/nation/2013/11/13/space-plan-to-cut-satellite-costs/3515119/

Fine.  Let's run some back-of-an-envelope numbers.  I see no way that you're going to get 5000 pounds to orbit without an initial takeoff weight at least ten times that... likely more.  So the plane is going to weigh at least 50,000 pounds.  Back in the dark ages of Falcons, Eagles, and Tomcats, supersonic PRODUCTION airplanes cost about $1000 per pound.  That was 30 years ago, so you've got to at least double that cost nowadays for a production hypersonic launch vehicle.  This puts the production price tag - AFTER development - at no less than $100M per copy.  Initial prototype costs are typically 10 to 100 times the cost of production models, which means that unless there is something they are not telling us, you're going to need to add another zero (or two) to that development cost estimate.

But wait... look again.  The numbers would line up quite well with experience if DARPA were pulling the airplane off the shelf, with no actual development required.

Hmmmm.

BAE Taranis UCAV Makes Maiden Flight

It's interesting that the report was apparently published the day before the information was officially released.  Maybe an "international date line" thing?  No details on the results.

http://www.janes.com/article/28899/taranis-makes-maiden-flight

Slovakian Aeromobil 2.5 Roadable Aircraft Flies

No details on the flight test are provided in the links, but unless someone has done an impressive job of animation, the video in the second link confirms that a first flight is already in the books.  Interesting approach with the swing-wing design.  The video shows what appears to me a tailwheels-first liftoff, then a crab or sideslip to the left.  It could be an unintentional sideslip due to the side-by-side seating arrangement and essentially no nose to look over to judge which way the plane is pointing.  Pitch control appeared a bit sensitive, as the plane porpoised slightly after liftoff, possibly a result of the pilot's attempt to stay in ground effect initially.  Some dutch-roll also appeared to be exhibited, unless that was just the pilot trying to find the exact front and overcontrolling.  Better looking than the Terrafugia, but a long way from proving itself after only one flight.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/aeromobil-2-5-flying-car-prototype-makes-its-first-test-flight/

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/10/24/slovakian-flying-car-makes-makes-short-test-flight/

Airbus A350-900 Team Discusses Progress, Plans

The articles at the links below are pretty typical of company press releases on projects like this, but they do provide a couple of data points for other testers.  Looks like they plan to have five test articles flying for the lion's share of the test program.  They also seem to think that they can go from maiden flight to certification and delivery in 16 months.  I must admit that it's possible, but so is winning the lottery.  The good news is that it is a derivative of an already-certificated airframe, so... guess we'll see.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-airbus-a350-20131021,0,6590292.story

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_10_21_2013_p0-628702.xml

Indian Mig-29K Completes Carrier Trials

Carrier suitability testing is the final feather in the caps of most Naval aircraft.  If the story at the link below is correct, indications are that the testing has gone well for the Mig-29.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ain-defense-perspective/2013-09-27/mig-29k-carrier-trials-complete

Anyone want to make a first flight... in Kenya?

George Tumuti was stopped by authorities in Kiambu, Kenya from performing the maiden flight of his homebuilt design.  Anyone want to do it for him?  Must be rotary-wing qualified, and a staunch optimist.



http://allafrica.com/stories/201309250523.html

Boeing 787-9 Makes First Flight

While there is little detail regarding the objectives or results of the flight, the story at the link below makes it pretty clear that a lot of eyes in Asia are watching how the entire Dreamliner complement of options evolves.  Eventually the Dreamliner battery grounding will be mostly a faded memory, but we're not there yet.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/international/boeing-s-larger-787-9/816860.html

Bombardier C-Series Takes Wing

This news is just a bit stale because life has kept me away from the keyboard for a couple of weeks, but this is huge news.  The story at the link below points out that this plane is a first for quite a while for Canadian manufacturers.  Way to go, Chuck!  Now I feel even worse for putting a dent in your car all those years ago!

http://www.cp24.com/news/bombardier-s-cseries-jet-lands-after-taking-first-test-flight-1.1456673

Test Pilot Killed

I'm retired USAF, but on this one I have to give a nod to the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School motto: "Plan the flight... Fly the plan."

http://avstop.com/September_2013/flight_instructor_killed_in_an_experimental_aircraft_while_performing_a_flight_test.htm

Don't Read This Post

(Photo credit: Paramount Pictures)



http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/04/travel/ground-control-pilotless-planes/

(Hey... I told you not to read it.)

Scaled/Virgin SpaceShipTwo Exceeds Mach 1

The aircraft apparently peaked out at Mach 1.4 and 56K', then tried out the feathering mechanism again prior to returning for a landing.  This flight was slightly different from Scaled's usual approach in that the flight was leaked to the press in anticipation to a much greater degree than usual.  Maybe a nod to pressure resulting from extended delays between flights?  It is also interesting to note in the link that the price seems to have gone up by 25%.

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-virgin-space-ship-test-20130905,0,4631303.story#axzz2e3sXgT1S

Turkish TAI Hurkus 350 Completes Maiden Flight

Test pilot comments were, as is customary, short and sweet.  There is no data available in the article on the size and gross weight of the plane, but 1600 horsepower seems quite a bit given the apparent size of the 350.  Even the pilot seems to have been impressed with the resulting performance.  As a reference, your typical Pilatus PC-7 runs with 550-750 hp.

http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/hurkus-makes-maiden-flight-for-turkey.html?utm_source=googleNews&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=news_feed

Out of Control... "BAILOUT... BAILOUT... BAILOUT!!!"

Take a (fictional) ride with a test pilot on a test flight when everything goes to pot.  This is about how it would feel, and about how fast it would all happen.  I haven't been quite this close to the edge, but I have multiple colleagues who've been there.  Quite a rush! 

The message?  Plan ahead, work as a team, and cover one another's assets!

http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123361258

A-10 Warthog Pushes External Tanks to the Limit

The story at the link below may sound bland - extending the envelope of the plane's external tanks - but this can actually be some pretty exciting work.  It looks like g-loading and airspeed limits are being extended, and there are a lot of aspects to stores carriage.  They have to worry about structural issues at the top end and during maneuvering, about proper venting and pressurization across higher speeds, about handling qualities, as well as jettison characteristics at various fuel levels.  What about interactions with other stores configurations?  The list goes on.  From the comments of the test pilot, it would seem they had concerns about aircraft controllability, and that is always exciting to plan a test around.  Sounds like fun!

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/112609/40th-fts-expands-10-fuel-limitations-combat

NASA Completes Captive Carry Flight on Sierra Nevada's Dream Chaser

This major contender for the next fly-back, horizontal landing, orbital taxi has gotten into the air with a more complete set of hardware, although not under its own power as yet.  Test objectives are outlined in the article at the link below, but are primarily systems testing.  It is not clear whether the first free-flight will be manned or automated.  I'm betting on the latter, but I guess we'll see.

(Photo Credit: NASA)



http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/2013/8/22/sierra_nevada_corporation_s_dream_chaser.htm

Terrafugia Transition Oshkosh Video

While the 8-minute clip at the link below doesn't really include any substantive flight test maneuvers, it does give a few clues regarding the vehicle's flight characteristics.  Rotation for takeoff was extremely crisp, with the plane leaving the ground after only a few degrees of pitch change.  There appeared to be a significant amount of crosswind, because the plane weathercocked perhaps 8-10 degrees immediately upon liftoff.  Once airborne, roll rates appeared to be crisp, and no obvious adverse yaw was apparent, although that could be because of well-coordinated rudder.  Rotation for landing, like for takeoff, was minimal.  It was almost flown onto the runway.  It may have simply been a slightly incomplete flare that time around, but if that is the normal method of touchdown, it could imply a sensitivity to gusty winds, since the airspeed would have to fall within a very narrow band to do that consistently.  (Does it come with an AOA gage?)  It might also mean that the plane is touching down with a lot of residual flying speed, perhaps making pitch control in the flare subject to PIO.  Neat plane guys, but I'd sure be nervous about leaving it in the restaurant parking lot without having a substantial tip for the security guard when I came out.

http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/the-new-178000-flying-car-23105.aspx

Lockheed-Martin F-35B Enters Night Sea Trials

The article at the link below provides some good insights into current carrier suitability evaluations that are going on for the Marine version of the F-35.  The low-light picture shows that the real limiting factor for shore operations close to the front may actually be the landing pad rather than the plane.  How do I keep all the stuff that gets kicked up out of my intakes?

http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/News/NewsArticleDisplay/tabid/3488/Article/148069/marine-test-pilot-makes-first-f-35b-night-landing-at-sea.aspx

Anxious to Test Some Revolutionary Commercial Designs?

Call us in 15 years... we might have something for you.  (See page 3.)

http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/pdf/armd_strategic_vision_2013.pdf

Shengyang: Deng Shilu Begins Flight Test of Original Design

You've got to admire the creative spirit behind this kind of effort.  It seems to be more and more common in China, so it is no surprise that GA is really starting to blossom there.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2385583/Amateur-Ding-Shilu-spends-4-years-building-aircraft-crashes-straight-away.html

Bombardier "Setting the Hook" with C-Series Test Planning?

This is a well-respected test team, so hopefully they are seeing clearly what lies ahead, but the comments you see in the link below are exactly the kind of talk that you hear before a string of predictable schedule slips.  As is so common in today's digital world, the culprit seems to be software integration and validation.  The other side of this coin is a good one: they aren't flying until they are ready.  A good product when it is ready is infinitely better than a crappy one on schedule.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ain-air-transport-perspective/2013-08-05/bombardier-sticks-cseries-flight-test-schedule

Airbus A350 Moves Into Next Test Phase

Short article at the link below gives a quick rundown of what has been accomplished to date.  What isn't listed here, and what I believe is probably a high-priority item, is capturing reliability data on any systems that are fresh from the drawing board.  With Boeing's recent battery debacle, Aibus will be bending over backwards to avoid getting painted with the same brush.  The jury is still out, but I have to bet on Murphy.  There's always something...

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_07_15_2013_p0-597172.xml

U.S. Air Forces Stands Up KC-46 Test Unit

Does anybody besides me remember Darleen Druyun?  This has been a long time in coming.  Hopefully the similarities to their commercial airframe will allow things to move along quickly.  My put: systems and software, especially networking and other features intended to make the tanker compatible with space and "dark" team-mates like future UAS platforms, are the biggest threat to schedule.  Guess we'll see.

http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123356133

Airbus A350-XWB Clears Full Flight Envelope

The article at the link below provides a very brief rundown of the plans for upcoming tests, and even mentions a bit about which airframes will host which test disciplines.

http://atwonline.com/airframes/airbus-a350-xwb-clears-flight-envelope-trials

Canadian Team Takes Sikorsky X-Prize!

It was truly down to the wire as the Canadian team and an American team in Maryland worked frantically to meet the X-Prize requirements.  You will see the pilot leaning to one side as he becomes more and more exhausted.  At first I thought he was simply favoring one leg because of a cramp or something.  Then I realized: I think he was FLYING the thing via weight shift!  Simple is good!  Congrats!

http://o.canada.com/2013/07/11/human-powered-helicopter-wins-250000-prize/

China's J-20 Stealth Entry Continues Tests

The tests described at the link below are typically vague.  Even the date is not announced.  The fuel dump test might seem odd for a second flight, but it makes more sense when you consider that the dump capability could mitigate the effects of other failures as testing progresses.  If using the dump might appear in an emergency checklist, you need to know if it works before you add that step.

http://focustaiwan.tw/news/acs/201307010036.aspx

National Test Pilot School Reaches out to High-Schoolers

This is now a done-deal, and I'm not sure how it went, but what a great idea!  Once in the past I worked with NASA and a middle school to put on a live "virtual control room" experience.  The aircraft carried a laptop with webcam and cellphone with a skype internet connection.  The students watched the entire flight live from their classroom and could gather data from test points and direct the pilot (me) to the next point.  They got a lot out of it!  Good stuff!

http://www.ntps.edu/information/news/303-2013-flight-test-camp

Northrop-Grumman X-47B Gets First Carrier Traps

Computers are taking away one crowning achievement after another from actual humans.  Not long ago a computer gave the world's best chessmasters some lessons on the game.  Now bragging rights for snagging the wire on-board ship are moving over to a computer-controlled drone.  What's next?

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-navy-drone-x47b-20130709,0,6990478.story

Bombardier C-Series Completes GVT

Ground vibration testing is one of the last things usually done before final tweaks of flight control systems.  If it is mechanical with analog dampers, you'll put in the required notches in the analog filters.  If it is digital fly-by-wire, you put those notches in the software.  GVT is also vital in order to confirm Vne plans.  Looks like we're getting close.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bombardier-completes-cseries-aircraft-ground-vibration-tests-and-final-software-upgrades-in-preparation-for-first-flight-2013-06-26

Czech Flying Bicycle Gets Airborne

Stay Tuned!

http://www.gizmag.com/flying-bicycle-f-bike-test-flight/27924/pictures

Airbus A350 Makes Maiden Flight

The article, including an interview with the pilot, is mainly a "feel-good" story with a lot of "flies great" quotes, but the fact is that the plane went very quickly from assembly into flight.  (Then again, so did the F-35.)  Great timing, though!

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/355073/airbus-next-generation-a350-readies-for-debut-test

Lockheed-Martin F-35 Fires AIM-120

The plane is slowly turning into a weapons system.  You will note comments at the link below about the software delaying the program by three years.  If you will dig back through this blog, you will find that we predicted that way back in June 2011.

http://defensetech.org/2013/06/07/f-35a-launches-first-missile-in-test-flight/

Airbus Describes A350 Test Lineup

The article at the link below explains a bit of the Airbus plan for utilization of flight test resources.

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_06_06_2013_p0-585892.xml

Pratt & Whitney A320neo Engine Flies

Details at the link below.

http://www.financial-news.co.uk/15199/2013/06/pratt-amp-whitney-starts-flight-test-on-a320neo-purepow/

Airbus A-350 Maiden Flight Crew Named

This has happened by now, and details of the flight will be in a subsequent entry, but some may find this interesting.

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news13/56-A350.shtml

Life Happens!

Updates have been on hold for the last several weeks for personal reasons, so postings over the next several days will be "catch up".  If you are a regular reader with flight test experience and would like to be an occasional "gest blogger" when I am swamped, please let me know and we will see if there is something we can work out.

Thanks for continuing to check in!

mark d

Airbus A350 Moves Closer to Maiden Flight

With the reported transfer of the first test airframe from engineering development into the flight test department, it would appear that first flight is inching closer.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/a350-prototype-transfers-to-flight-test-team-386563/

Rynders / Sonex Loses Power on Test Flight

It's not immediately obvious whether Mr. Rynders was flying an AeroVee or Jabiru engine on his homebuilt, but it looks like he was very fortunate to walk (actually swim) away from this one.

http://www.nbc-2.com/story/22440487/downed-pilot-on-test-flight-it-was-a-failure

Travolta as Bombardier Challenger 350 Test Pilot?

Say it ain't so, Batman! Please!

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ebace-convention-news/2013-05-21/test-pilot-travolta-puts-new-challenger-through-its-paces

Northrop-Grumman / USN Triton UAS Notches High Speed Taxi

It is interesting how a lot of different aspects of production, maintenance, international agreements, airspace management, and alternative ISR sources all come together around a single airframe.  For example, the story at the link below shows how civil airspace management issues on another continent can impact procurement decisions for U.S. military systems that don't even plan to go there.

http://www.uasvision.com/2013/05/21/triton-prepares-for-flight-trials/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UasVision+(UAS+VISION)

Northrop-Grumman X-47B Takes Seaborne Catapult

Once upon a time the Navy had adopted a slogan "From the Sea".  The message was that it didn't matter where the target was because somewhere at sea is a presence close enough for today's Navy to reach out and touch it.  That has just gotten a little more true.  Not only can they reach you, but if the X-47 lives up to expectations, you likely won't ever know it unless they want you to.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-navy-drone-catapult-20130515,0,2940039.story

Lockheed-Martin F-35 Flight Test Synopsis

The article at the link below is probably the single best location for a (slightly biased) rundown of progress on this huge test program.  A lot has happened in the last year, and the manufacturer wants you to know about it.

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/article.html?item_id=116

Northrop-Grumman X-47B Gets its First Trap

Shore-based, yes, but a critical step in getting started with sea trials.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/video.cfm?id=unmanned-attack-plane-passes-carrie2013-05-07

Remotely Piloted IAI Heron Transits Civil Airspace

We will see more and more of this type of flight.  The link below gives no indication that the aircraft was carrying or testing any new on-board systems, but apparently the control station was equipped with repeater displays piped in from Air Traffic Control.  Those familiar with flight at the altitudes mentioned will realize that everything up there is operating on an IFR clearance, so separation was essentially guaranteed by the controlling agency.  That fact is not intended to minimize the accomplishment - you have to walk before you can run - but the real tests will be in airspace that includes simulated "non-cooperating" VFR traffic.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ain-defense-perspective/2013-05-10/uav-makes-test-flight-non-segregated-european-airspace

AFRL/Boeing/Pratt&Whitney X-51A Waverider Exceeds Mach 5

This program has repeatedly run into problems, losing several vehicles for various reasons, but it looks like they have now broken the code.  Those of you who have watched the hypersonic realm carefully may be unimpressed.  NASA took the scramjet-powered X-43 out to Mach 9.6 several years ago, so it is tempting to yawn at barely breaking through Mach 5.  But keep in mind that the objectives of the two vehicles are much different.  The X-43 was fairly large, while AFRL is trying to make hypersonics happen in a small-enough package to have some military value.  It looks as though they may be on the right track.

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-hypersonic-x51-test-flight-20130503,0,6645524.story

SpaceShipTwo Lights the Torch

They topped out at 55,000 feet and 1.2 Mach.  Details at the link below.

http://spaceref.biz/2013/04/first-rocket-powered-flight-of-spaceshiptwo.html

62 miles by Christmas?

Toronto and UMD Human-Helicopter Teams Near Prize

This one is too close to call!  The Toronto team has put on an amazing come-from-behind push in this quest to win the $250,000 Sikorsky Prize, but the Maryland team also seems to have some kick left as they both approach the finish line.  This is where flight test, engineering, creativity, and just plain guts all come together.  As a guy who spent 3-years of my Air Force career on exchange with the Canadians at the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment in Alberta, I can truly root for both teams.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324743704578444571375978296.html#articleTabs%3Dvideo

Lockheed-Martin F-35 Tests Northrop-Grumman Data-Link

While this rather inocuous-sounding test doesn't generate a lot of heart-pounding excitement in the airplane, the operational significance of this system can't be over-stated.  Waveform? Multiples of range?  What's that all about?  After you take a look at the short story at the link below, consider this... Finding ground or airborne targets often uses on-board radar, but the only way stealth has any value is if the stealthy aircraft hasn't already given away its position with emissions.  If I have a low-probability-of-intercept waveform, something that only shows up as a signal after a lot of processing, and I can send that signal to another aircraft that is a long way off, then the only guy who has to go anywhere near the target is the guy who has never emitted.  While search radars are trying to find the guy who hit them with airborne radar, the undetected, non-emitting plane comes in from a completely different direction and cleans their clocks.  This test is NOT a small deal.

http://www.aviationtoday.com/av/military/F-35-Data-Link-Completes-Flight-Test_79067.html

SPA Panther Makes Successful First Flight

This innovative design is intended to cross the divide between standard and LSA categories, but its profile is a lot like the popular RV series of aircraft.  Getting airborne on that very first flight of a new design has got to be a rush, but being a near dead-ringer for a platform with well-respected flying characteristics should help.  Congrats!

http://www.eaa.org/news/2013/2013-04-10_panther-sport-prototype-completes-first-flight.asp

Boeing-Cranfield X-48C Completes NASA Test Program

Commercial aviation is facing a lot of challenges, not the least of which are increasinig fuel costs and urban encroachment on airports.  The X-48 series of aircraft have been testing technologies to help with both of these problems, and they are pretty cool looking as well.

(Photo Credit: NASA)

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2013/apr/HQ_13-105_X-48C_Final_Flight.html

Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Glide Flight

According the the article at the link below, Virgin says that if things go well, there may only be one more gliding flight between now and their first rocket-powered test mission.  Branson still hopes to begin commercial service, probably out of their New Mexico facility, in 2014.

http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com/local/x1891367180/Space-ship-completes-24th-test-flight-in-Mojave

UMD Students Continue Gamera II Push; AeroVelo Right Behind!

I have got to TOTALLY take my hat off to these students!  I have been involved with multiple flight test programs over the years, and I watched high pressure projects like B-1, F-22, and others.  None of them were pushing any harder than these kids are pushing to reach their goal.  No matter what happens or who wins the Sikorsky prize, all of them are record-breakers in my book.  Way to go!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/u-md-students-try-to-win-250000-prize-for-hovering-in-a-man-powered-helicopter/2013/02/28/fa98ba48-81f9-11e2-a350-49866afab584_story.html

Boeing F-15SA Testing is Underway

This is a "better late than never" entry.  (Circumstances have kept me away from the blog for a while.)  The DoD Foreign Military Sales program includes a big delivery of modified F-15s to the Saudis has begun.  Information at the links below indicates that their planes will have major upgrades to the flight controls and avionics.  It would also seem that some new weapons integration may be coming down the pike.  Is the work really going to be done at Wright Patterson?  Interesting...

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123339926

http://www.robins.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123342088

Boeing 787 Flies in Preparation for Battery System Re-Certification

Although the required battery system checks were not on the test cards, supporting components of the new plane's electrical systems were checked out yesterday.  The company expects to evaluate the battery-related fixes in the near future.

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_04_01_2013_p0-564734.xml

Embraer Grows it's Legacy 500 Flight Test Fleet

A third plane has been added to the stable of test birds in hope of getting the new jet to customers next year.  The article in the link below shares a few details about plans for the new test airframe: primarily avionics and electrical systems.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/embraer-adds-third-legacy-500-prototype-to-flight-test-campaign-383804/

Ilyushin Il-476 Flight Testing Gets Underway

The highly-modified transport is getting a new lease on life, and a fairly large buy seems to be in the works.  The initial flight was apparetly focused on basic systems and handling qualities, but there are very few details in the link.

http://www.janes.com/products/janes/defence-security-report.aspx?ID=1065977393

Marinvent Fields UAV Flight Test Tool

A number of private entities have developed optionally-piloted UAVs to enable flight test in airspace that has not been sterilized of other traffic: CIRPAS in Northern California, as well as Scaled Composites with their Proteus both come to mind.  The fact that a small Canadian company would actually win a prestigious industry award for creativity in solving commercial problems by fielding UAS-related solutions says something about the importance of UAS research internationally.

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/marinvent-corporations-highly-innovative-adaptive-flight-test-bed-project-awarded-c2-1766970.htm

 

Early "Optionally Piloted UAV"

(Photo Credit: Scaled Composites)



Systems Flight Test: USAF TPS to Re-Focus?

There is little doubt that systems testing forms the bulk of flight test these days.  Technology advances faster evey year, and new capabilities can be brought to bear using ones and zeroes much more quickly than by cutting metal.  The fact that a former electronic warfare officer and a recent F-22 tester have been tapped to upgrade the TPS approach to systems testing says a lot about the capabilities that the USAF thinks will be under development in near-future black boxes.  Interesting stuff!

http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123339064

Bombardier Rolls Out C-Series Test Vehicle

They are not expecting to fly until this coming June, but having actual hardware on the ramp has to be a major milestone.  The information at the link below is mostly market-related, but it may be interesting if you have a dog in the commercial airline hunt.

http://atwonline.com/aircraft-engines-components/news/bombardier-rolls-out-cseries-test-aircraft-launches-extra-capacity-?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AtwDailyNews+(ATW+Daily+News)

Scaled/Virgin SpaceShipTwo Rocket Motor Testing

Richard Branson seems to think that the first powered flight is coming pretty soon.  Of course he has made noises like this before, but if I were preparing for the first use in flight, I would have a full-up, production-representative motor with all the latest modifications on the test pad within a few weeks of my planned flight.  But hey... what do I know?

http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2013/03/05/virgin-galactic-test-spaceshiptwo-rocket.html

Calgary Firm Tests Bell 407 with Honeywell HTS900 Engine

If you have a motorcycle, eventually you'll be lusting after a bigger one.  If you have a computer, you'll want one with more speed and memory.  For helos, you always want better "High and Hot" performance.  Apparently Eagle Copters is trying to help you get there with an engine upgrade to this line of aircraft.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/heli-expo-eagle-copters-begins-testing-new-engine-in-bell-407-383091/

UMD Inches Closer to Sikorsky Prize

The students at University of Maryland are so close to winning the $250,000 Sikorsky prize that they can probably taste it!  The challenge of staying airborne for a full minute and reaching 3 meters while doing it has proven amazingly tough, but they are close!  The video is almost as inspiring as watching the olympics.

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/02/gamera-ii-sikorsky-prize/

Boeing's Phantom Eye Flying Again after Landing Mishap

Trying to make secondary systems as light as possible always involves some risk.  Apparently the nose gear dug into the Edwards lakebed on the first flight last summer.  That problem has been solved, according the the story at the link below, and the plane recently had a successful second flight.  The launch cart is dorky looking, but it is a pretty effective way to save weight and complexity.  The X-15 also landed on skids with only a nose wheel.

http://defense-update.com/20130227_phantom_eye-3.html

 

(Photo Credit: Boeing, via defense-update.com)

 



Korean KUH-1 Surian Helicopter Cold Weather Trials

It is pretty unusual to see a Korean test team climb off a Russian transport to perform flight test of a military aircraft at a U.S test facility.  A short blurb part way down this link tells a bit about what was accomplished.  Cranking up after cold soaking at -42 is no small accomplishment.  Lots of pictures.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?223596-Surion-undergoes-flight-test-in-Alaska-at-42-C

Boeing 787 Flies Two-Hour Lithium-Ion Test

No results are provided in the article at the link below, but hopefully they will find the smoking gun sometime soon.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/business/boeing-787-completes-test-flight.html?_r=0

Augusta Westland Adds to AW169 Test Fleet

This plane is the fourth test asset.  Reportedly almost fully production-representative, it may round out the AWS-169 developmental Flight Test fleet.

http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/rotorhub/fourth-aw169-enters-flight-test-programme/

Scaled / Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Test Details and Plans

The folks at Scaled Composites have historically been pretty closed-mouthed about test results and future test plans.  Their customers, in this case Virgin Galactic, don't have to be so tight-lipped.  The story at the link below has a few interesting tidbits about plans and schedules for upcoming tests.  Unless you're a dedicated Antelope Valley airplane watcher, the first powered test will be a total surprise, but Virgin seems to think you won't be waiting much longer.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelvenables/2013/02/08/interview-steve-isakowitz/

Aviastar Il-76MD-90A Begins Extended Flight Tests

The story at the link below provides a bit of intel regarding test objectives and future plans for the new transport.  Although the basic airframe has been around a long time, the avionics and engines are brand new, potentially giving the platform a whole new set of operational capabilities.

http://www.defencetalk.com/il-476-airlifter-makes-first-long-test-flight-46584/

Aeroscraft Airship Got Airborne Last Month

Safely inside a large hangar in Southern California, the new vehicle showed that it could indeed hover.  The article at the link below has a few interesting details about the technologies that allow it to control its bouyancy.  There are lots of pictures too.  Worth a look!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/30/aeroscraft-test-flight-airship_n_2582409.html

Sierra Nevada's Dreamchaser Prepares for First Live Drop

The reusable manned spaceplane is designed for routine access to low earth orbit.  The fact is that there is no time to lose in getting this type of vehicle into operation, since no one is sure how the ISS will be funded after 2020.  First series of flights? Unmanned and automated of course.

http://www.space.com/19551-dream-chaser-space-plane-flight-test.html

F-35 Test Year Rundown - Get Some Coffee and Sit Back

I promise you will enjoy this 14-minute video.  It is mostly chest-pounding, but it is still fun to watch.

http://www.military.com/video/aircraft/jet-fighters/f-35-test-flight-at-edwards-afb-2012/2119692641001/

Chinese Y-20 Boasts Successful First Flight

The C-17-Class transport apparently logged a one-hour first flight just last week.  The article at the links below share some specifications for the plane.  It is a large aircraft and a big leap for China's aviation sector, but the largest challenge may be the domestic engines that are planned for future installation.  The second link provides some additional video as well as s bit of performance analysis.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/758551.shtml

http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2013/01/28/the-y-20-china-aviation-milestone-means-new-power-projection/

EADS / Northrop-Grumman Euro Hawk into Systems Test

Basically a proven airframe, although modified somewhat to suite the European customer, the aircraft is now beginning the real work of proving that the SIGINT systems and other black boxes can do what is required to get the mission done.  We're not likely to see much about the results unless there is a major technical or programmatic glitch.

http://www.eads.com/eads/int/en/news/press.20130111_cassidian_eurohawk.html

EMT / Swiss UAV Testing MUSECO Rotary Drone

I'm a veteran of a number of manned platforms, and a true fan of manned flight, but ignoring the increasing military and economic importance of unmanned and automated platforms will not make them go away.  Here is another to add to your list.

http://www.uasvision.com/2013/01/08/first-test-flight-for-emtswiss-uav-s-museco-unmanned-helicopter/

Chinese Y-20 Transport First Flight?

The story at the link below may already be OBE, but it contains some interesting analysis about the implications of the development of this airplane.  About the size of an IL-76, it represents a significant jump in that it is not just a  "knock off" of someone else's design.

http://thediplomat.com/2013/01/08/limited-liftoff-looming-y-20-transport-prepares-for-1st-test-flight/