Chinese AVIC Y-20 Heavy Transport Testing Continues

The article at the link below has some truly excellent pictures of the new transport, but even though it is a relatively long piece, it doesn't really say anything (except perhaps that the test pilot cadre leaves something to be desired.)  It touts a record pace of testing, but attaches no numbers to that claim.

http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2014/03/test-flight-frequency-of-y-20-heavy.html

Tecnam P-2010 Limited Flight Test Results Posted

The 4-place light single is based on a tried and true configuration that should be hard to mess up.  It's a nice-looking airplane, with initial test numbers that appear very sell-able.

http://www.australianflying.com.au/news/test-flight-reveals-p2010-performance

Airbus Doubles A350 XWB Test Fleet

The article is mostly chest-pounding, but it has some nice shots of the airplane in flight, as well a brief rundown of test hours to date.  Apparently the 2 new airframes will be dedicated to envelope expansion and cabin systems testing.

http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/two-a350-xwb-test-aircraft-make-first-flights-on-the-same-day/

Rolls-Royce to Engine Scott's Resurrected Bell 47

Lookout Colonel Potter and Hawkeye, the 47 is back!  I don't see how this one can lose, but we will have to watch and wait to find out for sure.

http://helihub.com/2014/02/26/rolls-royce-to-deliver-first-flight-test-engine-for-scotts-bell-47/

FAA Clears Bombardier for Learjet 85 1st Flight

Sorry... this story is a bit old.  (I am once again in the "catch up mode" as life continues to throw curve balls our way.)  Can anyone clear this one up?  The story at the link below implies that Bombardier has been issued the first ever FAA Flight Test Permit.  This sounds unlikely, but maybe this is something that the agency has just begun?  Anyway, maiden flight for the -85 should be soon, if it has not already occured.

http://www.blueskyexecutiveaviation.co.uk/issue_261/Bombardier_obtains_FTV1_flight_test_permit_for_Learjet85.htm

UPDATED: Field Aviation Challenger 604 MSA Begins Flight Testing

The serious testing of this aircraft will begin once the full-up maritime surveillance systems have been installed, and there will be very little on the web about how that goes, but initial envelope clearance has begun.  This may seem like a yawner, since the 604 has been flying for years, but when they get to high AOA tests, I'm sure they will be on the edge of their seats.  The large protuberances just ahead of the wing leading edge could generate some surprises when it comes to stall behavior.  Not only that, any unexpected flow disruptions not only impact main-wing stall, but they ripple back to impact the longitudinal control surfaces used the break the stall as well.  Stay tuned.

 

(Photo Credit: Aviation Week)

http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2014/03/05/field-aviation-completes-first-test-flight-of-boeings-maritime-surveillance-aircraft/

A more recent article says that so far the flying qualities remain good.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/field-aviation-achieves-first-flight-of-boeing-maritime-surveillance-396659/

Aeros Aeroscraft "Dragon Dream" LTA Tests Accelerate

This one came in under my radar, and the article at the link below offers no date for the tests it describes, but the whole lighter-than-air field is, to me, a very fascinating area of development.  Every single effort in this area in the last couple of decades has gone down like the Hindenburg (minus the flames).  There is something about this technology that is harder than it appears at first glance.  Let's see if Aeros can crack the code.

http://www.designworldonline.com/heavy-lifter-dragon-dream-passes-pentagon-nasa-tests/#_

China's Latest J-20 Fighter Variant makes Maiden Flight

While the "photo" shown at the first link below appears to be totally bogus (I have seen no other sources that show a forward-swept wing on the J-20 up to now, and no one makes a maiden flight with wall-to-wall external stores) the article does claim that a newer version of this recent-generation stealth entry by China has gotten airborne.

The second link, I suspect based on the same news release, probably has a more accurate photo.

http://focustaiwan.tw/news/acs/201403010023.aspx

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?cid=1101&MainCatID=11&id=20140302000078