T&E 4001 Fundamentals of Flight Test
Course Description
This is a foundational course for the Master’s Degrees and the Test Pilot and Flight Test Engineer courses that covers the fundamental subjects of flight test. The role of the test pilot and flight test engineer is described along with an explanation of the different types of flight test including R&D, DT&E, and OT&E. Other key subjects covered include: Report Writing, Human Factors and Cockpit Evaluation, Test Planning, Risk Management, Safety in Flight Test, Data Analysis, Certification Standards, and Math/Physics Review. This three-week course is typically offered twice a year and consists of academic lecture, laboratory exercises, and airborne flight instruction offered daily on a Monday through Friday schedule.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course of instruction, the student will have a basic understanding of how a flight test program is conducted. He/she will:
Be familiar with
1. Computer-based data analysis tools.
2. The techniques used to conduct a cockpit evaluation.
Understand
3. The purpose of flight test and evaluation and am familiar with the T&E process.
4. The roles and responsibilities of a test pilot and flight test engineer.
5. Human factors considerations applicable to conducting flight test.
6. Basic statistics concepts and how they apply to flight testing.
7. Areas to be considered in planning a mission and how to write test cards.
8. Understand risk management and safety considerations while planning and conducting a flight test program.
9. The format and content of technical reports, both written and oral.
10. The importance of crew resource management in test and evaluation.