Christopher J Bennett, PhD1, Jane Hodgkinson, PhD2, Jim Nixon, PhD2,3
1 Department of Aerospace Engineering, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, AZ, USA
2 Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK (at the time of collaboration)
3 Health & Safety Executive, UK
Email bennec28@erau.edu
https://doi.org/10.61618/SITW4437
Abstract
Flight testing of new aircraft, equipment and systems is mandatory in the aviation industry to establish
and verify the airworthiness of any new airborne product as determined by the appropriate authority,
for example the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States or the European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in Europe. Testing procedures for civilian and military category products
are well documented and strictly regulated (see, for example the FAA flight test guide for certification
of normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter category aircraft (FAA, 2011) and often use traditional
techniques. However, the are no published guidelines for flight testing new developments in the search
and rescue (SAR) domain.
This article summarizes, from experience, recommendations for a successful SAR flight test campaign.
This includes considerations for effective and efficient trial design, best practices for data capture across
a range of environmental conditions, and methods to minimize sources of error. A detailed example of
a search procedure with sequential steps is also provided. The principles discussed herein target quality
data capture via flight test, both efficiently and safely, to improve and evolve the vital work that SAR
operations conduct worldwide.
KEY WORDS: Flight-Test design, innovations, review, case study