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Twin Otter: Flight tests on floats in the Maldives, which
Flight Test of the first MT-Propeller 7-blade prop on a PC-12.
took the MT-Propeller test pilot around the world.
excellence, specific training, and in-depth education. In the case of today’s test pilots and like the Chuck Yeager years, it also calls for a dedication to push into the unknown without concern and make aviation even safer. As mentioned before, the flight test world consists of several types of efforts, including experimental, engineering, production, and post-maintenance testing. This also includes the various types of Test Pilots that accomplish these specific tasks. While the various kinds of Test Pilot assignments involve a variety of particular experience considerations, several qualifications are familiar to all Test Pilots. These are: Education – Again, qualifications vary depending on the type of testing. However, typically, a broad discipline including the study and application of basic science, engineering, physical or computer science, mathematics, aeronautics, technical management, and organisational principle is required. Flight Training & Experience – All test pilots flying for hire have progressed through various flight training programs and have earned a commercial pilot’s license or an airline transport rating. In addition, they will most likely have one or more advanced ratings such as instrument, multi-engine, or aircraft type ratings depending upon their particular test flying requirements. Specialised Training – Additionally, most Test Pilots, depending on where they operate globally, are required to accomplish specialised Flight Testing training and certification. According to Martin Albrecht, Test Pilot for MT-Propellers and a seven-time winner of the German Aerobatic Championship: “In the early years, when Josef Eberl (Senior Test Pilot at MT-Propellers) and myself became test pilots in Europe, we had to have an engineering degree along with the appropriate flight ratings. Our training consisted of both theory and practical flight test training and examinations. With good fortune, we trained with some of the most famous German Test Pilots like Dieter Thomas and Heiner Neumann.” Today, “In the EU, Test Pilots also have to have a commercial pilot licence with a Patrick Sarda, flight test engineer at Daher
specified number of hours of experience and certification per EASA FCL (Flight Crew License) requirements. Additionally, regarding Test Pilot certification, an individual has to go to a mandatory ATO (Approved Training Organisation) approved to provide EASA training and testing for Flight Test Categories CAT-1, -2, -3 -4.” Currently, “Josef and I hold a Test CAT-1, which means we have no restrictions concerning altitude, speed, and seats of the to-be-tested aircraft. For comparison, Test CAT-2 has the limits max. 25,000 ft, Mach 0.6, and non-commuter.” Overall, “real flight testing has a lot to do with the correct preparation, aircraft type and task to be tested, flight cards and making sure the correct recording system is installed. We at MT-Propeller perform flight testing for our own certification work and customers chartering us as test pilots. If you have your life in GA and Aerial Work aviation you, of course, have a variety of aircraft to fly, and typically, the flight test aircraft you test at your fingertips.”
Test Flight Complete It just goes to show, some people like to think of themselves as ‘adrenaline junkies’ because they completed an aerobatic course or jumped out of an airplane — and then there are guys like Martin Albrecht and Josef Eberl. The Flight Test sector is another truly unique and special Aerial Work segment that pushes flying limits. However, they conduct their trade with a different discipline, precision, caution, and purpose. As you read, the Flight Test sector not only tests a one-off prototype aircraft as a whole but also finds the unknowns of the other components and systems integrated into an aircraft mainframe with intent and specialised instruments like a doctor. As a result, they genuinely compare the airplane’s performance, modification, or repair against set specifications. So, next time you read an article of an aircraft test program or hear of a postmaintenance flight check, think of where the Flight Test sector is today verses the Chuck Yeager glory days of “fly, crash, fix, fly.” Today, the ‘Flight Testing’ community is truly keeping aviation safe and effective with prudent and rigorous discipline! ■ TBM 700-02 prototype used to test a Shotover F1 8K camera mounted under the wing for Airborne Films.
See all of our Multi-Mission articles at our online Multi-Mission Aircraft Hub:
www.avbuyer.com/articles/multi-mission-aircraft-hub 46 AERIAL WORK EUROPE DECEMBER 2021
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