
Flight Testing Homebuilt Aircraft
by Vaughan Askue
Highly recommended by Van's Aircraft and many other kitplane manufacturers.
Flight testing is a clear-cut process of learning an aircraft’s limitations, defining and fixing its problems, and determining its capability and optimum flying techniques. Each step in the test process is designed to prepare both the pilot and the airplane to progress to the next step with a minimum of risk. Over the years, test pilots have built a library of knowledge and technique that you can use to fly better and more safely. Whether good or bad, professional or amateur, lucky or unlucky, their experience is something you should take advantage of.
In Flight Testing Homebuilt Aircraft the homebuilder learns safe, effective techniques that are often only touched upon in journals, or painstakingly derived from various technical manuals.
This book presents an organized step-by-step approach to flight testing:
- Flight preparation
- Taxi tests
- First flight
- Envelope expansion
- Problem solving
- Performance analysis
The author also discusses common stability and control problems and ways to resolve them. As a compendium of practical tips and lore on reducing risk and improving performance, this book is a “must-have” resource for pilots and builders.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- Introduction
- Preface
- Chapter 1: How to Begin
- Chapter 2: Systems Tests
- Chapter 3: Final Preparations
- Chapter 4: Taxi Tests
- Chapter 5: First Flight
- Chapter 6: Envelope Expansion
- Chapter 7: Stability
- Chapter 8: Control
- Chapter 9: Pitot-Static System
- Chapter 10: Stall-Spin Testing
- Chapter 12: Engine Cooling
- Chapter 13: Conclusion
- Index
“A very worthwhile publication, not only for the designer and builder of the aircraft, but for anyone flying the great variety of ultralight and amateur-built aircraft.”—Paul H. Poberezny, founder and chairman of the board, Experimental Aircraft Association
RELATED LINKS:
- ...from the 'aerodynamics' Category
- > Introduction to Aircraft Flight Test Engineering
- > Introduction to Aircraft Flight Test Engineering
- > Flight Testing Homebuilt Aircraft
- > Principles of Flight - PPL
- > Advanced Aerodynamics Angle of Attack
- > Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators
- > Stick & Rudder
- > Flight Theory for Pilots
- > Homebuilt Aerodynamics and Flight Testing
- > Speed with Economy
- ...from the 'homebuilders library' Category
- > 27 Years of the RVator
- > Weight & Balance 101
- > Flight Testing Homebuilt Aircraft
- > Speed with Economy
- > Sportplane Construction Techniques
- > Kit Airplane Construction
- > Propeller Making for the Amateur
- > Efficient Powerplant Installation
- > Firewall Forward
- > Sportplane Builder
Skills
- Pilot Ratings
- sport
- private
- instrument
- commercial
- flight instructor
- multi-engine
- helicopter
- ATP
- JAA PPL (private)
- JAA ATPL (commercial)
- Flying Skills
- regulatory - flight
- basics
- VFR skills
- IFR & navigation
- advanced skills
- communications
- sport flying
- aircraft operation
- GPS manuals
- flight safety
- Pilot Supplies
- logbooks
- planning / plotters / E6Bs
- cockpit organization
- hoods / fuel testers
- flightbags & cases
Management
Skills
- Airframe
- basic knowledge
- specialty skills
- tools & hardware
- sheet metal
- composites
- fabric & wood
- welding
- NDT & corrosion
- paint & finish


