Transcript Slide 1

DISPLAYING
PROTOTYPE AIRCRAFT
Oslo, 8 FEB 2013
Dr. Dieter Reisinger
Background Information
Workshop 2011

5th European Flight Test Safety Workshop in
Salzburg, Austria, November 2011

Theme: “Displaying Prototype Aircraft –
Risks and Preparation”

Dedicated speakers and audience
GOAL
Goal of today´s
presentation

Summarize Salzburg Workshop Results

Share LESSONS LEARNED

Motivate to take next steps (“Safety Initiatives”)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/displayflying_norway
Introduction
Early in our discussions an online survey ways launched and
it became evident

That certain issues in product demo flying are NOT limited to
one organisation or the individual pilot

Rather, these issues are similar across our industry!
Challenges to Flight Test
Demonstration Flying

Marketing/Sales Pressures interventions

Prototype development programme

Test pilot ego vs ‘Critical’ Peer Pressure vs
Test Pilot ‘Image’.

Limited preparation time

Lack of continuation training

“Edge of Envelope–Operation”
Grob SPn
Prototype Grob SPn
SPn Accident
Gérard Guillaumaud (1964-2006)
Accident Statistics
„Airshow
Accident Statistics – Some Cruel Facts“
Airshow Accidents/Incidents 2002 to 2011
40
10 Year Average = 27 per annum!
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Sample Size = 266
(Source: Des Barker)
Airshow Organiser: Fatalities (1908 to 2010)
1000 vs 1421 = 2421
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Sample Size = 2421
(Source: Des Barker)
Airshow Accident Categories: 1908 to 2011
27% Non-Human
Factors Related
71% Human Factors Related
Accidents and Incidents
250
228
200
165
150
132
117
100
54
50
15 11 11
0
8
5
3
14
2
2
1
1
1
Sample Size = 810
1
24
6
4
1
3
1
(Source: Des Barker)
Lesson #1
„DISPLAY AND DISPLAY ARE NOT ONE
AND THE SAME!“
Foto: Werner Horvath
Is this a product demonstration?
Lesson 1
Source: Ricardo Traven
Is this a product demonstration?
Lesson 1
Is this a product demonstration?
Is this a product demonstration?Source: Internet
Lesson 1
Fligh#9/#10: Fly-by of Solar Impulse on 22.09.2010, Swiss Government in Bern
Source: Ricardo Traven
Lesson #1
Display and Display are not the same

Barnstormers entertain and excite us with their daring flying skills
(“inverted ribbon cut at night”)

Military teams are intended to motivate and recruit the public
through disciplined flying

Domestic airshows (Flying Displays) are primarily for the aircraft to
be enjoyed and viewed by the public

Product demonstrations are intended to show the unique
capabilities of the aircraft to educated observers and potential
customers
Source: Ricardo Traven
Lesson #1
Therefore, when planning your display – ask what will be the
philosophy or the spirit of your display?
Aerobatic
Competition
Military
Demonstration
Aerospace
Exhibition
• Demonstration of pilot’s skill
• Pilots competition with aircraft of approx. equal
performance
• Armed Forces promotion
• Demo to tax payer
• Precision flying, team work
• Mission effectiveness/flexibility
• Aircraft Promotion
• Performance
• Manoeuvrability
• New Technology (low noise level, etc.)
Source: Dieter Thomas
Lesson #1
Accident Analysis shows:
ACCIDENTS HAPPEN WHEN
PILOTS CROSS THE LINE!
STAY IN YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE
UNLESS YOU ARE FULLY PREPARED!
12 JUNE 1989
MIKOYAN MiG-29
20
PARIS, FRANCE
Lesson #2
„PRODUCT DEMO –
USE A FLIGHT TEST APPROACH!“
Lesson #2
It is Team work:
It is a step by step process

Design office

Computation/ Simulation

Flight Test Engineer

Analyse

Mechanics

FT Program: objectives vs. Time

Test Pilot

Plan

A/C Tech check / Control

Fly

Monitor & Record

Debrief – Analyse- Document - Train
Lesson #2
5000
2
Airspeed At Pull
(KCAS)
350
300
270
4000
Altitude
(FT)
3
400
3000
1
2000
1000
4
0
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
Down Range Distance (FT)
600
500
480
360
240
120
200
00
20
40
Altitude
3k ft
4k ft
5k ft
Airspeed 400
At
Altitude 300
(KCAS)
5000
Increasing
4000 Weight
3000
2000
6000
1000 400 500 600
300
200
500080
60
100
100
(KCAS)
Airspeed
4000
100
200
300
400
500
Initial Airspeed (KCAS)
280
320
3000
0
0
240
2000
0
1
2
3
4
5
Source: Ricardo Traven
FT Approach to Demo Flying
Minimum but “stalled“
Optimum at 4g corner speed
(Dieter Thomas)
Profile Development
Australian International 2003 High Show
Flat
Oblique
Reversal
Half
Cuban 8
Abrupt pull/push
Dirty roll
1
2
180
Heading
Reversal
(Pirouette)
Knife
edge
pass
3
4
Mini
Pirouette
Rudder
roll
Wind
Down Turn
Flat
Oblique
Reversal
High AOA pass
High G Turn
5
6
Loaded
roll
Square
loop
7
8
Source: Ricardo Traven
Solar Impulse: Paris Air Show 2011
No wind Display RWY 03
Lesson #3
THE DEMO PILOT – SELECT THE RIGHT STUFF
Lesson #3
Stress
Technical
problem
Error
Error
Weather
Conditions
Commercial
pressure
Time
Airshow box
Altitude /Temp
Obstacles
Public
Populated areas
GROUND
(„Experton´s Safety Bubble“)Source: Patrick Experton
Lesson #3
Improvisation
Clumsiness
Error
Environmental pressure
Pilot
Skill
Experience
Practice
Training
Physical Fitness
Limitations
Technical defects
Technical failure
Reliability
Rules-Limits
Aircraft
Unique capability
Performance
Agility
SAFETY BALANCE
Source: Patrick Experton
Lesson #3

Integrity

Mature

Discipline

Self confident

Humble

Interested for right reasons (”no place
for undernourished egos!”)
Did I miss pilot skills? Of course you
need pilot skills but the above
mentioned are a big part of that!
Source: Fredrik Müchler
Lesson #3
Five mistakes of (an honest) demo pilot:

I had allowed myself to fly a display I had not practised.

I was angry and not properly concentrated on what I was doing.

I brought myself into a competitive situation.

I had forced too many difficult manoeuvres into a far too tight
schedule.

I flew an extra manoeuvre, not planned, in a rush and inaccurately.
Lesson #4
„REPEATABILITY IS SAFETY!“
Lesson #4

Your sequence must be
repeatable over and over
again, if not - practice more or
lower your ambitions.

Everyone can make a strike in
bowling but only the
professional will make it over
and over again –

Make sure you are a
professional!
Lesson #5
„DIFFICULT IS NOT NECESSARILY IMPRESSIVE!“
Lesson #5

Difficult is not necessarily
impressive!

HELICOPTER DEMOS: Don´t copy
fixed-wing: they do wing-overs,
helicopters do torque-turns
Lesson #5

What is special about this aircraft and how can I show off its
qualities?

How will the manoeuvres will be seen from the crowd line?

Avoid maneuvers with complex entry parameter combinations they lead to large quality (and safety margin) scatter
• Backflip variables: Height, aft stick input
• ½ rev cuban 8 variables: Height, attitude, collective, pause
after roll, cyclic.. etc. etc.

If the constraints are too restrictive then don’t show the
manoeuvre (Panther Loop: 135 to140kt, BO105 Loop: -30kt to
+140kt)
Lesson #5
• Loop
–
–
–
–
Easy
Repeatable
Low structural loads
Air-air relevance
(escape)
• Barrel Roll
– Often falsely chosen as first
aerobatic manoeuvre
– Clumsy compared to fixedwing
• “Like an old lady falling down
stairs”
– Most scatter of results
– High structural loads
• Rotor head change !!
Lesson #5
• Back Flip
–
–
–
–
Easy
Spectacular
Repeatable
Low structural loads
• Wing Over and Rev Half
Cuban 8
– Seems simple
• “Everyone can do one”
– Energy absolutely critical
– Many accidents e.g. Lynx
Poland
Summary – Lessons Learned
Lesson #1
„Display and Display are not one and the same! –
NEVER CROSS THE LINE!“
Lesson #2
„Product Demo – Use A Flight Test Approach!“
Lesson #3
„You need the right stuff“
Lesson #4
„Repeatability is safety!“
Lesson #5
„Difficult is not necessarily impressive“
Next Steps - Safety Initiatives
PROPOSE THREE SAFETY INITIATIVES
Safety Initiative #1
1
„Create an Air Display Flying Handbook for Product
Demonstration Flying“
Safety Initiative #1

Share and conserve knowledge
for future generations – test
pilots by definition not literate
display pilots!

Draft version presently reviewed
by task force

Approval required
Safety Initiative #1

What guidelines should the demonstration pilot consider in best
exhibiting the air vehicle to a prospective customer?

What attributes are required to be a successful flight test
demonstration pilot?

What are the requirements for the selection of demonstration
pilots?

What are the demonstration pilot´s responsibilities toward the
company?

What are the roles and responsibilities of management?
Safety Initiative #2
2
„Create an Accident and Incident Database“
Safety Initiative #2
Safety Initiative #2
Safety Initiative #2
Safety Initiative #2
Would you be willing to share demonstration incidents?
NO
YES
Safety Initiative #2
1. Where should such a database be hosted?
2. Who should be analyzing accidents and incidents?
3. Which taxonomy should be used?
4. What should be the goal of doing that work?
Safety Initiative #3
3
„Keep an eye on this topic in future workshops!“
Summary
Safety Initiative #1:
Create an Air Display Flying
Handbook for Product Demo
Flying!
Safety Initiative #2:
Launch an Incident Data Base!
Safety Initiative #3
Keep an eye on this topic in
future workshops!
Summary
• Train/Rehearse/Practice
• Fly the demo as a test flight
• Repeatability is safety
• Don’t ignore the basic tricks
• Understand the aircraft and limits
• Know your limits
• Stay fit for the task
Source: Patrick Experton
Thank you to...
... the Salzburg Speakers:
Des Barker
Dave Carbaugh
Patrick Experton
Terry Lutz
Fredrik Müchler
Tore Reimers
Wayne Roberts
Christoph Schletting
Dieter Thomas
Ricardo Traven
Andrew Warner
Chris Worning
...and to all workshop participants, and
...the ladies in the SETP Office!
Thank you to all the Salzburg Speakers
Des Barker
Dave Carbaugh
Patrick Experton
Terry Lutz
Tore Reimers
Wayne Roberts
Christoph Schletting
Dieter Thomas
Ricardo Traven
Andrew Warner
Chris Worning
...and to all workshop participants
Thank you to all the Salzburg Speakers
Des Barker
Dave Carbaugh
Patrick Experton
Terry Lutz
BACKUP SLIDES
Tore Reimers
Wayne Roberts
Christoph Schletting
Dieter Thomas
Ricardo Traven
Andrew Warner
Chris Worning
...and to all workshop participants
Dr. Dieter Reisinger

After graduation from University of the Armed Forces,
Dr. Reisinger received Test Pilot training at NTPS.
Worked in the Cockpit Development Taskforce on the
FD728 program

Currently an airline pilot on Boeing 767

More than 9000 hours in 70 different types of aircraft
and helicopters

Chairman of IATA Accident Classification Task Force

Chairman of STAR Alliance Safety Group

Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) Vice
President for Austria

Lecturer at University Graz, Belgrade and Beijing
Accidents by Country
25
20
15
10
5
0
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Lesson 6
Test Pilots
Display Pilots
SETP European Safety Workshop
November 2011
Source: Des Barker
Accident Statistics – Test Pilots
1.
Test pilots more susceptible to Flight Into Terrain:
43% vs 28%.
2.
Test pilots less susceptible to Loss of Control:
10% vs 20%.
3.
Test pilots less susceptible to Midair collisions:
2% vs 14%.
4.
Mechanical failure essentially equal:
15% vs 16%.
5.
Test pilots suffered more structural failures:
16% vs vs 7%.
(Source: Des Barker)
Accident Statistics - Test Pilots?
Accidents by Manoeuver
Category – data indicates
that test pilots are more
successful in flying precise
manouevers
(Source: Des Barker)
Test Pilots
Display Pilots
Vertical
26%
39%
Rolling
15%
29%
Turning
4%
9%
Flybys
12%
12%
Challenges to Flight Test
Demonstration Flying
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Disrespecting the ‘energy gate’. (LOC + FIT)
Sloppy attitude control. (FIT)
Impromptu, ‘gap filling’ unpracticed sequences/displays.
Loss of visual during formation flying.
Ignoring the insidious effects of DENSITY ALTITUDE.
Disregarding weather ie cloudbase, wind, turbulence effects.
Disregarding the structural limitations of the aircraft.
Disregarding the placarded flight restrictions of the aircraft.
Disregarding waiver height limitations.
Disregarding minimum spectator enclosure distance.
Disregarding positive critique from peer group.
Flight Test Demo Considerations
• What are the demonstration pilot’s responsibilities to the
prospective buyer’s team and pilots, briefings, and
reporting?
• What are typically the focus areas for aircraft manufacturers
when developing their marketing strategies through product
demonstrations?
• Test pilots involved in product demonstration flights need to
regularly revisit the safety elements governing the
objectives, sequence design and risk management involved.
• What are the threats to test pilot demonstration flights?
Online Survey
„Lets Do a Demo-Flying Online Survey“
• One group was tasked with the
developement of questionnaire for an
online-survey
Online Survey
1. What guidelines should the demonstration pilot consider in
best exhibiting the air vehicle to a prospective customer?
2. What are the requirements for the selection of
demonstration pilots?
3. What are the guidelines regarding the target audience?
4. What are the demonstration pilot’s responsibilities toward
the company?
5. What are the roles and responsibilities of management?
Online Survey
What type of company/organisation are you working for?
Manufacturer,
Military
Manufacturer GA
Military
Airline
Airshow Circus
Aerobatic Comp.
Other
Other (specify)
Safety-Initiative: Questionnaire
Online Survey
Safety-Initiative: Questionnaire
Online Survey
Safety-Initiative: Questionnaire
Online Survey
Safety-Initiative: Questionnaire
Online Survey
Online Survey
Online Survey
Online Survey
Do you perform sensitivity studies on individual manoeuvers to
determine entry/exit gates, taking into account the specific
environmental conditions at the display airfields?
YES
NO