flight test
Airborne performance check
A flight test is an evaluation of an aircraft, spacecraft, or aircraft component conducted during actual flight.
Engineers use flight tests to verify performance, safety, and design specifications: The new engine passed its flight test.
As a verb, to flight-test is to conduct such an evaluation: They flight-tested the prototype over the desert.
First functional specimen
- experimentalTesting new methods
- airframeAircraft's structural body
- wind tunnelControlled airstream apparatus
- aerodynamicsPhysics of air motion
thrust · drag · lift · telemetry · data acquisition · supersonic · payload · range
Accuracy of measurement
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- maneuverabilityEase of controlled movement
- instrumentationDesign of measuring devices
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
simulator · trimming · emergency procedures · Chuck Yeager · sortie · debrief
Fit for flight
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- certificationAttestation of qualification
- complianceAdhering to requirements
FAA · safety standards · regulatory approval · inspection · documentation · quality assurance · conformity · failure analysis
prototype
First functional specimen
- experimentalTesting new methods
- airframeAircraft's structural body
- wind tunnelControlled airstream apparatus
aerodynamics · thrust · drag · lift · telemetry · data acquisition · supersonic · payload · range · endurance
precision
Accuracy of measurement
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- maneuverabilityEase of controlled movement
- instrumentationDesign of measuring devices
cockpit · simulator · trimming · emergency procedures · Chuck Yeager · sortie · debrief
airworthiness
Fit for flight
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- certificationAttestation of qualification
compliance · FAA · safety standards · regulatory approval · inspection · documentation · quality assurance · conformity · failure analysis
- aviationaircraft, airports, airplane, airplanes, jets
- flight trainingstudent pilot, ground school, checkride, simulator, aviation school
- practical testsoral exam, viva, viva voce, audition, checkride
- Aircraft Maintenancepreflight check, routine checks, hangars, engine checks, maintenance bay
- flight testingairworthiness, proof of concept
- pilot credentialspilot license, ATP, private pilot, commercial pilot, student pilot