Dassault Falcon 8X Nears Certification

The plane is now in the globe-trotting stage, looking for difficult operational environments to prove and/or tweak systems and procedures. They hope to certify by June.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2016-03-28/falcon-8x-nearing-certification-finish-line

Boeing KC-46 Pegasus Tests are Picking up Steam

The article at the link below is mostly about the test team, but it also has some details about test philosophy and test point sequencing. After all the upheaval regarding the USAF follow-on tanker, it is nice to take a breather with a "feel good" story.

http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/705513/putting-the-pegasus-through-its-paces.aspx

Lockheed-Martin F-35 Software Issues Delay IOC

REALLY??? OMG! What a shock!

Go back with me, if you will, to a post I made nearly 5 years ago on June 6, 2011. Then take a look at the issues discussed in the link below. I still have to quote Paul Strassmann, who way back in the 90's was once quoted to have said:

"Complex software systems do not work. Those few that do are always based upon simple systems... that worked."

Our problem today is that there is no opportunity to crawl. We must go from a clean sheet to agonizingly complex, even before getting airborne. The plane is supposed to come out of the hangar running at full tilt.  Guess what...

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2016/03/23/f-35-full-combat-capability-four-months-late/82187648/

Sikorsky CH-53K Expands Flight Envelope

They also have added another aircraft to pick up the flight test pace. The article at the link below is not the first to hit the streets, but it has a few details about the progress of the test program and the path forward.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ch-53k-project-expands-to-120kts-and-two-test-helico-423094/

Airbus A321neo Flies with Pratt&Whitney PW1135G-JM Engine

Often when a new engine enters flight test on a multi-engine aircraft, the first few flights may be done with a proven engine on one side and the new power plant on the other side. Another approach is to have a dedicated engine test aircraft with multiple proven engines and an engine station dedicated to whatever engine is in need of test. The article at the link below is hazy regarding the PurePower test. Nowhere does it say PurePower "Engines"... It always says "engine". I'm guessing that the plane was fully configured with two of them, but it never says that straight out.

http://mro-network.com/news/2016/03/first-test-flight-pratt-powered-a321neo/8661

Enstrom Adds to TH180 Test Fleet

I am always surprised by helicopters with the long "Robinson Style" mast. And where are all the swash plates and control rods? A very clean looking design! With the list of target users including private individuals, the flying qualities are going to be paramount. No need to replay the lessons that Robinson learned the hard way.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2016-03-01/enstrom-flight-testing-continues-th180

Ilyushin IL-76MD-M Begins Avionics Upgrade Testing

Almost as venerable and recognizable as the timeless C-130, the plane is doing exactly what other transports have done in recent years. It is amazing how much more you can get out of the same airframe/engine combination with some new black boxes.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2016-03-01/upgraded-il-76md-m-airlifter-makes-first-flight-russia

U.S. Navy F-35 Testing: A "Must Read" Interview!

If you have any interest at all in general test philosophy and overall progress of F-35 flight testing, you will want to read the article at the link below. Extremely informative!

http://www.sldinfo.com/rolling-out-the-f-35-fleet-from-the-testing-perspective-an-interview-with-the-chief-test-engineer-for-the-f-35-itf-at-pax-river/

Marenco Swisshelicopter Adds to SH-09 Test Fleet

The article doesn't share much regarding the planned role for the new test asset, but does share a bit of planning for early fleet testing.

http://www.verticalmag.com/news/article/Second-Marenco-Swisshelicopter-prototype-now-flying

General Atomics Predator B-ER First Flight

More hard points, longer range... these are obvious advantages, but the lightning protection is no small feat for a mostly-composite air frame.

http://defense-update.com/20160225_predator-b-er-spreads-bigger-wings-3.html