Transcript Precautionary Search & Landing
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
FAR 23, Modifications and Flight Test
Tony Morris Test Pilot, CAA
Slide No. 1 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
Contents:
• CAA Test Pilot – Who & Why?
• The need for testing • Types of modifications • Possible effects on the aircraft • Examples of test programmes • The ‘approaches’ to flight testing • Pilot qualifications • Where to find information • Questions Slide No. 2 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
CAA Test Pilot Position – Who & Why?
• Required to ensure new/modified aircraft properly tested • RAAF for 13 years • Test flying professionally since 1990 • Graduate of the Empire Test Pilots School (UK) • Senior Fixed-Wing Test Pilot RAAF • Civil test pilot since 1995 • CAA Test Pilot since 2001 • 125 types • 10,200 flying hours Slide No. 3 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
“Why do we need to test this modification”?
• Legally required by legislation • Need approval to sell commercially • Need to define new or modified parameters • Need to define new or changed performance Slide No. 4 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
Types of aircraft modifications:
• External • Internal • Powerplant Slide No. 5 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
Possible effects on the aircraft:
• Handling qualities • Systems • Performance Slide No. 6 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
Handling Qualities (How the aircraft ‘flies’)
We need to test if any of the following have changed:
• Stall speed or characteristics • Lateral/Directional (modified stability – IFR?) • Longitudinal (trim, control, damping) • Minimum control speed (multi-engine) • Takeoff and landing Slide No. 7 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
Systems Modifications:
We may need to test if any of the following are modified:
• Powerplant • Controls • Displays • Pilot Interface • Lighting • “Cockpit Space and Comfort” • Field-Of-View • Pilot Workload Slide No. 8 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
Performance Testing
We will need to test if any of the following have changed:
• Takeoff • Climb • Landing • Balked Landing • Inflight • Roll rate • Engine-Inoperative/Abnormal • Restricted vs. Normal Category?
Slide No. 9 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
Example Flight Test Programmes
• Taken from personal test flying • Still current in ‘real’ test flying!
• Not just an ‘office’ type with no ‘real-world’ experience!
Slide No. 10 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
Cessna 182 FLIR Modification
• Takeoff and Landing handling qualities • Stall speed verification • Lateral and Directional stability and control • Roll rate confirmation • Systems tests Slide No. 11 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
Geosurvey Pods – Cresco
• Lateral/Directional handling • Stall speed re-validation • Roll rate and handling • Takeoff, climb and landing performance re-validation Slide No. 12 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
Powerplant Change – Air Tractor 301
• Takeoff and landing performance • Takeoff and landing handling • Longitudinal, Lateral Directional handling • Engine handling and in-flight restart • Stall speed re-validation Slide No. 13 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23 Asymmetric Stores Carriage – Lear 35
• Takeoff and landing handling (crosswind and trim limit) • Climb performance decrement • High-speed handling, stability and control (M 0.78) • Low speed handling and AoA stability • Single-engine handling and minimum control speed • Flutter • Lateral/Directional handling, roll rate • Qualified personnel?
Slide No. 14 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
Where do I find out what I need to test?
FAR 23 Subpart B - Flight Flight Test Resources:
• CAA – we
are
here to help!
• FAA Regulatory & Guidance Library (RGL) • ( www.faa.gov
> Regulations and policies > RGL) • Advisory Circulars support FAR 23 • You are not alone!
• Ask for help –
earlier rather than later!
Slide No. 15 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
The two approaches to flight test:
• The ‘
easy way ’:
• Ask for help, take advice, do the tests ‘right’ first time in accordance with the regulations • The ‘
hard way ’:
• Don’t ask, hire the wrong people, get it wrong, complain when CAA fails to approve your mod – spend more money!
• Quick check – is the CAA tough?
• •
CAA is probably the most ‘user-friendly’ regulatory authority going around!
Engineering support ‘as good as it gets’
Slide No. 16 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
Planning a Flight Test Programme
• ‘Go it alone’; find out later?
• What can CAA offer?
• CAA Test plan review • Flight test ‘oversight’ • CAA Flight Test ‘witness’ • Test pilot approval (where required) • Report submission – quality?
• CAA Audit?
• Required in certain cases • Scope will depend on report, results and task • Could range from 10% - 100% Slide No. 17 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23 Getting the ‘right’ test pilot
• Hire the RIGHT pilot, not just the one who’s there • Not every pilot or engineer can perform flight test • Correct background/experience • Disciplined, methodical, thorough • Able to anticipate and understand FAR 23 requirements • Willing and able to take advice and direction • Reliable and consistent test techniques • Able to convert what they have ‘seen’ to a readable, coherent format • Interface between you and the CAA • Audit?
Slide No. 18 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
Some Useful Advisory Circulars
• AC 23-8B: Flight Test Guide for Certification of Part 23 Airplanes • AC 23-14: Type Certification Basis for Conversion from Reciprocating Engine to Turbine-Powered Part 23 Airplanes • AC 23-17B: Systems and Equipment Guide for Certification of Part 23 Airplanes and Airships • AC 23.1309-1C: Equipment, Systems, and Installations in Part 23 Airplanes • AC 23.1311-1BInstallation of Electronic Display in Part 23 Airplanes Slide No. 19 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
Helicopters?
• Part 27 Normal category • Part 29 Transport category • Associated AC’s Slide No. 20 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
FAR 23 Subpart B - Summary
• General • Performance • Flight Characteristics • Controllability and Manoeuvrability • Trim • Stability • Stalls • Spinning • Ground and Water Handling Characteristics • Miscellaneous Flight Requirements Slide No. 21 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23 Performance
23.45 General.
23.49 Stalling period.
23.51 Takeoff speeds.
23.53 Takeoff performance.
23.55 Accelerate-stop distance.
23.57 Takeoff path.
23.59 Takeoff distance and takeoff run.
23.61 Takeoff flight path.
23.63 Climb: general.
23.65 Climb: all engines operating.
23.66 Takeoff climb: one-engine inoperative.
23.67 Climb: one engine inoperative.
23.69 Enroute climb/descent.
23.71 Glide: Single-engine airplanes.
23.73 Reference landing approach speed.
23.75 Landing distance.
23.77 Balked landing.
Slide No. 22 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23 Controllability and Maneuverability
23.143 General.
23.145 Longitudinal control.
23.147 Directional and lateral control.
23.149 Minimum control speed.
23.151 Acrobatic maneuvers.
23.153 Control during landings.
23.155 Elevator control forces in maneuvers.
23.157 Rate of roll.
Trim
23.161 Trim.
Slide No. 23 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23 Stability
23.171 General.
23.173 Static longitudinal stability.
23.175 Demonstration of static longitudinal stability.
23.177 Static directional and lateral stability.
23.181 Dynamic stability.
Stalls
23.201 Wings level stall.
23.203 Turning flight and accelerated turning stalls.
23.207 Stall warning.
Spinning
23.221 Spinning.
Slide No. 24 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23 Ground and Water Handling Characteristics
23.231 Longitudinal stability and control.
23.233 Directional stability and control.
23.235 Operation on unpaved surfaces.
23.237 Operation on water.
23.239 Spray characteristics.
Miscellaneous Flight Requirements
23.251 Vibration and buffeting.
23.253 High speed characteristics.
Slide No. 25 of 9
Flight Testing Aircraft Modifications – FAR 23
Questions?
“But it’s only a
MINOR
modification!!!!”
Slide No. 26 of 9