MS FTE Course Curriculum

FTE 01 Introduction to Flight Test

Introducing the fundamentals necessary to conduct flight test safely, this module includes lectures on risk assessment and test planning, including the techniques for test point scheduling, flight test card preparation and test briefing.

FTE 02 Fixed Wing Performance Tests

This course provides an overview of both propeller and jet engine fixed-wing aircraft performance flight tests, including perfor­mance during take-off and landing, climb, descent, cruise and maneuvering.

FTE 02RW Rotary-Wing Performance Tests

This course provides an overview of rota­ry-wing aircraft performance flight tests. It starts with rotor performance theory, before addressing helicopter flight phases includ­ing hover, vertical climb, level flight, climbs and descents.

FTE 03 Fixed-Wing Flying Qualities Flight Tests

This course explores the testing required to establish the flying qualities of fixed-wing aircraft. Instruction is focused on flight test methods, test planning, data acquisition and analysis.

FTE 03RW Rotary-Wing Flight Qualities Tests

Exploring the testing required to estab­lish rotary-wing aircraft flying qualities, this module covers the main stability and control subjects through a review of helicopter static and dynamic stability (longitudinal, lateral and directional), including low-speed regime, aerodynamic derivatives and rotor dynamics.

FTE 04 Avionics Systems Flights

Students are introduced to the fundamental principles of operation of key aircraft avionic systems and how these systems are tested to determine compliance with civil certification requirements, covering the civil certification processes of avionic systems in detail.

AFT01 Advanced Civil Flight Tests

This builds on the concepts presented in performance, flying qualities and avionics modules, introducing aspects such as flight testing with one-engine-inoperative and asymmetric conditions, dynamic maneu­vering, envelope expansion, high-speed testing and closed-loop handling quali­ties assessment.

AFT02 Digital Flight Control Systems Flight Tests

This addresses civil and military aircraft digi­tal flight control systems design, testing and certification, with specific reference to appli­cable civil and military specifications includ­ing FAR Part 25, MILSTD-1797, ADS-33E PRF. Case studies include civil airliner certification against FAR Part 25.

ELE01 Unmanned Air Vehicle Flight Tests

Starting with a solid grounding in UAS technology and flight oper­ations, this course explains the principles and techniques of UAS OT&E flight test and provides students with a thorough intro­duction in the discipline of OT&E flight testing as it relates to Unmanned Air Systems specifically.

ELE02 Advanced Military Flight Tests

Building on fundamental flight test concepts taught in preced­ing modules, this focuses on their application in the context of modern combat aircraft developmental flight test programmes.

ELE03 Electro-optics and Night Vision System Flight Tests

The physical principles of electro-optical sensors and devices are covered, together with the methods uses to exploit those systems in support of 24-hour airborne operations. Aircraft design/modi­fication aspects, including Night Vision Goggles compatibility requirements and implications, are also considered.

ELE04 Stores Certification Flight Tests

This course provides students with a foundation in fighter aircraft weapons and their testing, including an overview of the aircraft stores certification process as defined in MIL-HDBK-1763 Stores Certification.