AIAA Flight Test Handbook Available to SFTE Members

January 3, 1972January 1, 2020 admin flight test AIAA, Flight Test News, FTN, January 1972, SFTE

This article first appeared in the January 1972 Flight Test News.

The AIAA Flight Test Committee held a meeting of its Flight Test Handbook Sub-committee in San Diego on January 18. In attendance were representatives from the AIAA, SETP and SFTE.

The Handbook Committee has been actively working for the past three years to develop a Pilot’s Flight Test Handbook to address the many facets of risk type testing. The result of this effort is the publication of the first edition of the “Pilots Handbook for Critical and Exploratory Flight Testing.” The handbook contains fourteen chapters that cover topics from First Flight to Firing and Separation Tests to Lifting Body Testing and most topics in between.

The SFTE has joined with AIAA and SETP as a full partner in the future development of this handbook. It should be noted that several members had individually participated directly and indirectly in the development of the first edition.

As a partner in this endeavor, all SFTE members are eligible for the member rate of $20 per copy on this publication. The non-member price is $30 per copy. A Table of Contents and an Order Form appear on pages 3 and 4 of this issue. Please use the order form with your SFTE Member Number to assure yourself or your company of the member price. The order form should be sent directly to the AIAA at the address shown on the form. [Editor’s note: form not included in digital edition.]

Because of the unknown market for such a publication and the expense involved in printing, only 500 copies were printed. If you want a copy, be sure and order promptly so you are not left out.

Subsequent editions will be expanded to include more timely items and also topics which may have been omitted from earlier editions. We would like to begin now in preparation for adding more material. One topic which has not been touched yet concerns Instrumentation and Data Techniques. The area of real time data systems in risk type testing could be covered well by chapters from Grumman and MDC, Long Beach. Another related area is laser space positioning which could be covered well by an article from MDC, Long Beach. The area of flutter is covered in the handbook for tactical aircraft; however, large aircraft flutter testing needs more coverage. This could be covered in a chapter from Boeing-Seattle, Lockheed, and MDC, Long Beach. An additional topic is dynamic performance testing techniques. We could expect contributions here from Edwards, Patuxent, LTV, Grumman, and MDC, St. Louis.

As you can see, there are several areas where SFTE members and your company can help to improve this publication. You or someone in your office is probably well qualified to address one or more of these areas. We would like to solicit and encourage your help and cooperation in making this handbook a useful living and growing document. If you or one of your colleagues are willing to help in writing an additional chapter, please drop a note to Dr. G. E. Clarke at the SFTE National office indicating your area of interest. One token enticement for soliciting participation is the customary complimentary copy given to all authors.

The next Handbook Committee is in August 1972. We hope to be well along on revisions and additions for the next edition. With this time schedule, we need to hear from you soon concerning which area you are willing to improve.

Pilots Handbook For Critical and Exploratory Flight Testing
Table of Contents – Page – Author

Forward – iii – T. M. Kastner, Gruniman Aerospace Corporation

Preface – vi – A. M. Wenzell, North American Rockwell Corporation

Introduction – viii – J. L. Pearce, Dynamatec Corporation

First Flight – 1 – A. K. Smyth, Grumman Aerospace Corporation

Structural Demonstration Flight Testing {U. S. Navy) -17 – E. Von der Heyden, Grumman Aerospace Corporation

Airloads and Structural Integrity Flight Testing (U. S. Air Force) – 25 – W. H. Harse, Chief Test Pilot

Flutter Boundary Testing – 30 – D. W. McCracken, North American Rockwell Corporation

Initial Spin Tests – 36 – C. A. Sewell and A. D. Whipple, Grumman Aerospace Corporation

Rotary Wing First Flight and Envelope Expansion – 57 – A. S. Decker, Sikorsky Aircraft

Lifting Body Testing (Air Launched) – 65 – Maj. J. A. Gentry, USAF, Maj. P. C. Hoag, USAF, R. G. Hoey and J. G. Armstrong, USAF Test Center

Engine Testing – 72 – F. A. Bastidas and G. M. Gordon, Pratt and Whitney Aircraft

Jet Engine Airstart Flight Testing for Single Engine Fighter/Attack Aircraft – 104 – Capt. H. W. Blot, USMC and Cdr. D. G. Ebbert, USNR, U.S. Naval Air Test Center

Carrier Suitability Structural Testing – 111 – D. R. Wilson, LTV Aerospace Corporation

Catapult Launch and Minimum End Airspeed Tests – 137 – LCdr. V. C. Bowes, USN and L. V. Stento, U.S. Naval Air Test Center

Firing and Separation Tests – 153 – Cdr. M. W. Dixcn, USN, R. B. Davis and 8. A. Wilson, U.S. Naval Air Test Center

Thunderstorm Penetration – 164 – D. Z. Skalla, Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Icing Tests (Civil Transport Aircraft) – 173 – R. L. McPherson, The Boeing Company

Acknowledgements and References – 177

This article first appeared in the January 1972 Flight Test News.