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