Cranfield University Alumni Event and Defense Education Conference Athens, 1 June 2017 Cost-Effective Flight Test Training Using In-House Resources: Cpt (HAF) Aristidis Antonakis HAF Electronics Depot Department of Applied Research External Store Certification Office
Flight Test Laboratories for Undergraduate Aerospace Engineers Benefits: Introduction to flight test practices Improvement of the learning outcome of class-taught courses Development of teamwork and report-writing skills Familiarization with aircraft systems and performance An experiential element of significant value in aerospace engineering education
Why can t every university have its own flying laboratory? The cost of operating an instrumented aircraft is too high for most institutions budget Training Budget Purchase Instrumentation Operation Maintenance Crew Training
How about the Hellenic Air Force Academy (HAFA)? HAFA is a small academic institution operating under the roof of the HAF HAF HAFA
Motivation A student-centered system for engineering education
Motivation A flight test lab exercise can be set up using HAF s in-house resources Aircraft: A fixed-wing aircraft from HAF s fleet Instrumentation: The aircraft s digital Flight Data Recorder Test Pilots: HAF Flight test Engineers: HAF Academic Tutors: HAFA
Methodology: Allocation of Relevant Resources Dedicated visits of HAFA s educational staff were made at neighboring air bases to assess their suitability for the intended lab exercise. Case 1 Case 2 Case 3 Aircraft Suitability Digital FDR Test Pilots Test Engineers Proximity to HAFA
Methodology: Safety & Cost The proposed lab session should demonstrate its viability with respect to safety, cost and operational considerations Testing should not introduce additional risk for HAF s personnel and equipment Only risk-free maneuvers may be conducted, without reaching envelope extremes Aircraft operating cost is high Test time must be short Aircraft & crew availability is limited due to operational duties Test-dedicated flights may not be possible
Methodology: Flight Test Plan A sequence consisting of a cruise performance test, a wind-up turn, and a level acceleration test was specified, to be executed during a scheduled air crew training mission. Lift Curve Drag Polar Cruise, Climb & Turn Performance Static Stability Maneuver Stability
Methodology: Training Schedule A training program was devised incorporating all basic steps of an actual flight test.
Execution: Introductory Lectures Introductory lectures covering flight test techniques and aircraft specifications.
Execution: Test Flight The procedures followed replicate those of an actual flight test: Pre-Flight Briefing Flight Line Ops Debriefing
Execution: Data Acquisition & Post Processing Test data are retrieved from the aircraft s CSFDR unit and are post processed before being handed to the students. Maneuvers are reconstructed from data recordings and their execution is assessed IAW test plan specifications
Execution: Data Analysis Students are requested to post-process the recordings and assess the aircraft s performance characteristics. Lift Coefficient VS Angle of Attack
Execution: Data Analysis Students are requested to post-process the recordings and assess the aircraft s performance characteristics. Static & Maneuver Stability results superimposed
Execution: Data Analysis Students are requested to post-process the recordings and assess the aircraft s performance characteristics. Rate of Climb (RoC) and Angle of Climb (AoC) VS Mach number
Conclusions Exploiting HAF s resources, a new flight test laboratory exercise was introduced to HAF Academy s curriculum. The test replicates an actual flight test. The exercise takes place during a planned air crew training mission, to minimize cost. The aircraft s FDR is used as the instrumentation for the test. The maneuvers are executed by HAF s test pilots, though this might not be necessary due to the simplicity of the test sequence. Recorded data have adequate accuracy to support the lab exercise and provide students with an insight on aircraft performance.
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