Flight Testing Lab

Announcements
Key Facts  
Contact Moritz Speckmaier, M.Sc.
Language of Instructions German or English
Language of Materials German and English
Type / ECTS Lab Course / 4 (Elective Lab Module)
Semester

Winter and Summer Semester
Due to the increased possibility that flights need to be canceled for meteorological reasons during winter, we strongly recommend participation in the Summer Semester.

Time and Place (2022W)

Lecture: Fridays, 10:00 – 12:30, MW3618 (TUM-Online)

Five introductory sessions are scheduled at the beginning of the semester.  A final session will be planned after consultation with the participants. The sessions are mandatory for all participants. Further dates for the preparation of the flight test and the optional test flight are scheduled individually.

Related Links TUM-Online
Details  
Prerequisites

Aircraft Performance or Introduction to Flight Mechanics and Control is required.
Flight Dynamics, Stability and Control is highly recommended.

Registration

TUMonline

Content / Educational Objectives

The Flight Testing Lab provides an exceptional hands-on experience on the theory from numerous lectures. Students will determine key flight performance and flight characteristics of a small aircraft. This gives students the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge from the field of aircraft performance and flight dynamics, stability and control in practice and to learn the basics of flight test engineering. As part of the flight test preparation, students learn how to shape the theoretically thinkable into operationally feasible test manoeuvers and create flight test cards. During the execution of the test flight, the students gain insight into flight practice and learn how to use measurement equipment to record experimental data. After the flight, they gain experience in working with experimental data and communicating results. The data obtained are evaluated by the students and compiled in a report.

  1. Introductory Sessions and Flight Test Card Preparation
    The students will be introduced to flight testing, flight test techniques, measurements, data analysis and data presentation. Students are then grouped in pairs of two and prepare flight tests cards.
  2. Test Flight
    Each student group conducts a test flight, external circumstances (e.g., weather) permitting. During the flight, measurements are taken using for instance aircraft instruments, a stopwatch and an inertial measurement unit. 
  3. Data Analysis and Presentation
    All groups’ measurements are collected and distributed. Using this common data base, each group compiles one single report, analyzing and comparing the results of the test flights. In a final meeting, each group presents its findings in a short presentation. Experiences from the test flights can be shared and discussed.
Teaching Methods / Materials

Comprehensive lecture notes, videos, hands-on ground experiments and an optional test flight in a small aircraft.

Exam

All student activities are evaluated. Major items are the flight test cards, the written report and the oral presentation of the findings.

Reference Literature

Will be provided during the course.

Scene during a roll mode flight test.
Scene during a roll mode flight test.

 

Visualizing airflow during stall using wool tufts.
Visualizing airflow during stall using wool tufts.

 

Determining the turn performance in flight.
Determining the turn performance in flight.

 

Landing approach at the end of a test flight.
Landing approach at the end of a test flight.