Icon A-5 Spin Resistance

The flight testing involved here has already been done, but the video at the link below is very persuasive regarding the results.  As I look at the control deflections just as pro-spin controls were applied, I do notice that the rudder deflection of the A-5 seems to be a lot less than full-deflection rudder on a lot of other light airplanes that I have flown.  To a degree this makes sense, since the rudder is right in the propeller slipstream and as long as the plane is being powered it will be more effective than the typical rudder.  That fact opens the question of what happens if the same controls were applied with full power, but the full-stall lateral control seems to be quite powerful, so it may not be an issue.  I'm impressed.

http://www.flyingmag.com/blogs/going-direct/spin-test-icon-a5-vs-cessna-150

Scaled Composites SpaceShipTwo Tests to Resume Soon?

FAA paperwork recently released implies that life over the Mojave Spaceport may soon be getting more exciting.  A lot of work has been done to prove out the propulsion system, so it looks like powered flights may begin before Thanksgiving.  Projects like this one are notorious for eating up people's lfamily time around the holidays, but Scaled's approach of never publishing a schedule allows them to sidestep a lot of the pressure that impacts other similar projects.  Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/faa-launch-permit-gives-virgin-galactics-space-vehicles-the-green-light-for-powered-flight-2012-05-30

Evektor EV-55 Flight Testing Progresses

This light Czech transport being tested now seems to be showing promise.  There is a long way to go before certification, but the twin turboprop has appealing lines.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/evektor-ev-55-logs-40-flight-test-hours-and-is-set-for-2015-certification-372409/

Photo Credit: Evektor



Airbus A-400M Flight Test Update

A very thorough rundown on flight test progress to date is provided in the 16 slides you can find at the link below.  There also seems to be a lot of programmatic information available in other presentations that are accessible via the options bar to the right of the slides.

http://www.slideshare.net/robbinlaird/a400-m-flight-test-update-2012

Northrop-Grumman LEMV May Actually Fly Soon!

Yes, it's unmanned.  Yes, it's a blimp.  And yes, a lot of readers could probably beat it in the quarter mile.  But wow!

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-05/23/us-army-mega-blimp

EAA? Homebuilder? If You Haven't Read These, You Need To

If you are an experimenter, the thing most likely to kill you is not something you do or fail to do in the shop.  It is something you do or fail to do in the air.  (Read that again!)  Listen to the NTSB.  If you don't have the time to get some experience in a similar airframe before you fly your project, give serious thought to having a pro do your first few flights, then stay within the plane's limits.

http://ohsonline.com/articles/2012/05/23/high-first-flight-risks-with-experimental-aircraft.aspx?admgarea=news
Be safe out there!
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-05-22/experimental-planes-accidents/55136166/1

Mahindra's GippsAero GA-10 Makes Maiden Flight

Looks like Australia is becoming more and more of a flight test and/or flight research destination.  This first flight was relatively brief for a transport-sized, fixed-gear aircraft, but they apparently accomplished their desired objectives.  The configuration appears fairly conventional, so I would expect things to go well unless the plane has some unusual features that are not readily apparent, but I would have to list it as unusual NOT to take a plane up to a medium altitude to perform a bit of slow flight before coming in for that first landing.  I guess they figure that it is so similar to the GA-8 that there was no need for that step.  Careful... don't get cocky, guys!

http://www.indiablooms.com/NewsDetailsPage/2012/newsDetails210512l.php