This four-day course addresses the evolution of the flight test program: the need for the flight test program, assets required and the data types identified. The mystery of decrypting 1553 data, setting realistic testing goals and analyzing test data are explained. The types of Time Space Position Information (TSPI) are discussed as well as their relationship with test requirements. The differences in test programs and organizational structures are explained as well as the test community's relationship with the customer. The latest advancements in data acquisition, correlation, merging and analysis will be studied with an emphasis on true performance vs. the predicted. Each section contains an in class exercise used to reinforce the lecture series. A new section on Statistics Requirements for the Flight Test Engineer has been added at the request of previous participants. This section will attempt to answer the age old question, "How many test points do I need?" The lecture is augmented with video instruction as well as real life examples of flight test success and failures.
Instructor:
Robert E. McShea, B.S. Aeronautical Engineering, Syracuse University, Director, Avionics and Systems Academic Programs at the National Test Pilot School, Mojave, CA. Responsible for the formulation, preparation and instruction of all Avionics and Weapons Systems taught at the school. Mr McShea was formerly employed as a Senior Technical Specialist at the NorthropGrumman Corporation in Palmdale, California. His primary responsibilities include the integration, development and test requirements definition or the B2 RADAR. Prior to that assignment, he was employed by the Grumman Corporation in Calverton Long Island as a Group Manager for Avionics and Weapons Systems Test, Test and Evaluation Department. His responsibilities included the development and test of new and upgraded avionics and weapons systems. A collateral duty involved the development of lectures on Flight Test Methodology and Requirements presented to potential FMS customers. Past positions within Grumman include: Project Engineer, F14D Super Tomcat, Lead Test Conductor and Team Leader, F14D upgrade, Research Engineer, Inertially Guided Technology Demonstrator, and Lead Vehicle Systems Test Engineer, X29A Forward Swept Wing Technology Demonstrator. Mr. McShea was formally a Captain in the US Air Force flying as a Weapons Systems Officer in the F4 C/D/E aircraft. He has presented and published papers for AIAA: Flight Testing of the X29A Technology Demonstrator and SFTE Symposium Advanced Techniques in Avionics Systems Flight Test.
This course is designed for personnel involved with requirements definition, integration, development and test of avionics and weapons systems. Although the course is slanted to the test of systems in flight, the concepts are valid for ground and flight labs as well. Engineers new to the field as well as test managers will gain useful information from the course. Time is allotted within each section to discuss problems/questions which may be of particular interest to individual participants. No previous course or prior experience is required.
Course Outline:
Overview
What is Flight Test
Why is there a need for Flight Test
Program Concepts/Goals
Contractual Requirements
DTE/OTE Differences
Demonstration/Spec Compliance
System Architecture
1553/1760 Bus Overview
Data Words and Messages
Bus Controllers and Remote Terminals
Other Data Busses (ARINC 429, EBR-1553, IEEE 1394b)
Range Sources/Attributes/TSPI
Types of Time, Space, Position Information
Accuracies
Sensor Fusion
GPS/DGPS
Threat Emitter Ranges
Crew Station Evaluation and Human Factors
Purpose of the Crew Station Evaluation
Minimum Crew Requirements
Workload and Workload Assessment
Subjective Rating Scales
Controls and Displays
Types of Testing
Evaluation and Functional Tests
Requirements and Pertinent Documentation
Statistics Used in Avionics Testing
Circular Error Probable
Distributions
Confidence Intervals
Determination of Data Collection Requirements
Typical Avionics and Weapons Systems
Electro-magnetic Interference and Compatibility (EMI/EMC)
Communications
INS
GPS
RADAR
EO/IR
A Typical Flight Test Program
Defining the Test
Asset Planning
Estimating
Preparation of the Test Plan
Test Objectives/Points/Cards
Brief. Debrief and Conduct of Flight
Flight Analysis and Reporting
Lessons Learned
Tuition:
Tuition for this four-day course is $1995 per person at one of our scheduled public courses. Onsite pricing is available. Please call us at 410-956-8805 or send an email to ATI@ATIcourses.com.
