A flight test technique (FTT) is a tool for answering common or frequently asked questions in flight test. It is a maneuver building block consisting of procedures for accomplishing the maneuver together with an objective and metrics.

FTTs are the “questions” that we ask to investigate various characteristics of airplanes.

For example, we may wish to know about the stall characteristics of an airplane. Since aircraft stall is a complex and non-linear phenomenon, we must approach this boundary in the flight envelope in a very methodical, incremental, intentional, and safe way.

A FTT is in some sense a description of an experiment.  It is a key element of the scientific method applied to aerospace sciences, engineering, and aviation.

#FTT Friday
Occasionally, @FlightTestFact will deliver examples, definitions, and explanations of flight test techniques. You can view these tweets by searching for #FTT and #flighttest.