Flight testing homebuilt aircraft book

Flight testing homebuilt aircraft paperback july 1, 1992 by vaughan askue author. Flight testing homebuilt aircraft book, ebook, vaughan askue. Test cards for each flight test were created to aid the pilot in completing each. This is done for a minimum number of flight hours typically 25 to 40 in an assigned flight test area to prove out the airplane. The flight control system, engines, propellers, pitot static system, and associated instruments operate properly.

Lisa is a member of the eaa homebuilt aircraft council and women in aviation international. Still, if possible, get your information from more than one such source. This will help you develop a detailed flighttest plan, tailored for your aircraft and resources. In the united states, in 2003, amateurbuilt aircraft experienced a rate of 21. It is also designed to be a handy reference that accompanies the aircraft for future flights. Kitplanes bookstore, a division of aircraft technical book company. Unfortunately, he only glosses over performance testing. Under these conditions the aircraft entered a deep stall which was unrecoverable. Flight testing your experimental aircraft flight testing your homebuilt aircraft for the first time is statistically proven to be a riskier proposition than normal flight operations. After this has been completed, the aircraft moves into phase ii, in which the aircraft. Eaa releases flight test manual general aviation news.

The faa, when requested, will assist applicants in selecting areas that comply with far 91. In all, 24% of the accidents occurred during the takeoff or landing phases due to inadvertent stalls, rolls or veering off the runway, thus 40 to 50% of the accidents seem to indicate a lack of familiarity with the flight. Smiths book glosses over all the stuff askue details, but gives a lot of information about performance testing. It allows pilots to have a full understanding of an aircraft s performance, characteristics, and limitations. Flight testing homebuilt aircraft tells how to test such aircraft systematically and safely, with professional results. This ac attempts to make you aware that test flying an aircraft is a critical undertaking, which you should approach with thorough planning, skill, and common sense. In the case of a homebuilt aircraft, all aircraft systems should be properly tested in a structured manner during the initial flight test campaign. It defines flight testing as a fourphase stepbystep process of learning the limitations of an aircraft. This book was provided to me during a flight test and performance course i took earlier this spring. The testing program ideas in the book start even before the first taxi, which is a great approach.

Ac 9089b amateurbuilt aircraft and ultralight flight. Development of a flight test program for a homebuilt zenith stol ch 701 reed danis1 and dave nguyen. On the other hand, if an appropriately rated pilot example. Introduces aerobatic maneuvers in order of difficulty. Learn the importance of careful planning, what to do to make a test flight go smoothly, and what to do if problems arise. The basic aerobatic manual the standard reference for flyers learning aerobatics. The building, modification and flight testing of a mustang. A number of these design had flown successfully for many hours when the flight testing of a gap seal on the canard elevator included an aft center of gravity condition. Flight testing homebuilt aircraft by vaughan askue alibris. Homebuilt aircraft source book, purdy, don, good, 19940801. Amateurbuilt aircraft and ultralight flight testing handbook. Flight testing is required to support the safety assessments being performed for suas operations. The first step for anybody preparing to fly any kind of a homebuilt aircraft is to call eaa headquarters 4144264800 and ask for earl lawrence or anyone in the flight advisor program office.

This advisory circular ac provides suggestions and safety related recommendations primarily to assist amateur and ultralight builders in developing individualized aircraft flighttest plans. This edition features expanded coverage of aircraft turning and accelerated climb performance, takeoff velocities, load and velocity load factors, area rules, and hypersonic flight, as well as the latest advances in laminar flow. When the bd10 was announced, it was billed as the worlds first and only supersonic jet kit aircraft. She is currently writing a book about her flying adventures. The new flight testing homebuilt aircraft, an updated and improved version of the 1992 edition, is designed to give you the techniques and tools to help you flight. If you are designing an aircraft, this is a must have book. The assigned flight test area is prescribed in accordance with far 91. These races required aircraft with useful loads of 150 lb 68 kg and engines of 80 cubic inches or less and as a consequence of the class limitations most were amateurbuilt. This has been around since 1999, magazine articles, static displays, lots of press, but no details or test flight updates. Buy flight testing homebuilt aircraft by vaughan askue online at alibris. These are fairly good general sources of information. The flighttest plan is the heart of all professional flight testing. The poh is little more than some handwritten notes.

Flight test guidelines for homebuiltexperimental aircraft the cutaway detail of the popular nontype certified rv7a aircraft, designed by vans aircraft, shows the intricate airframe design. With the mild spring weather upon us, its time to get ready for that first flight of your homebuilt aircraft. I attended several of the flight test forums at oshkosh this year and it was mentioned by charlie lutz and bill posnett that a new initiative was in the works to provide improved resources for flight testing aircraft. This ac attempts to make you aware that test flying an aircraft is a critical undertaking, which you should approach with. Description an excellent book on all phases of flight and performance testing. For example, flight testing in conjunction with an stc modification may require only 1 hour in an assigned flight test area while the initial operation of a prototype jet aircraft or a military surplus jet aircraft may require 20 or more hours before the requirements of far 91. Flight testing homebuilt aircraft vans aircraft total. Many thanks to al aitken for his contributions to the falco flight test guide and for all he has done to advance the safe flight testing of homebuilt aircraft. Kitplanes bookstore, a division of aircraft technical book. Once the flight time has been completed, a logbook entry is made indicating that the aircraft is safe for flight.

This is the focus of the flight test work presented in this paper. Flight test guidelines for homebuiltexperimental aircraft maj. Experimental and homebuilt aircraft public group facebook. The bd10 was a shortlived homebuilt jet powered by a single ge j85 turbojet engine. Executing flight test techniques to acquire specific data during flight test can be considered the finale of the total flight test engineering effort. Would anyone know of a resource that would have examples of owner developed operating instructions. Built aircra and ultralight flight tes ng handbook, and it can be accessed by clicking the advisory circular link under the regula ons and. If the amateur builder has made changes to a manufacturers kit that affect the cg, the predetermined data must be recalculated based on the changes. If you still cant find the answer youre looking for, contact us at 888 241 7891 mf 9. This book tells how to test your aircraft systematically and safely, with professional results. Experimental amateurbuilt aircraft, often called homebuilts because. The cockpit instruments are appropriately marked, and needed placards are installed and placed for easy reference. Folks, im building a glastar and would like to start preparing my flight test plan for first flight and my overall flight test program.

The completed weight and balance report, including load limits for flightcrew, oil. A key aspect of this testing is the assessment of suas dynamics and contro l characteristics under offnomin al conditions e. It looked like it was loosely based on variez, or lots of rutan components were used. Experimental flight testing for assessing the safety of. Nasa technical reports server search multiple nasa databases for technical reports and information. Prompt shipping, excellent service if you encounter any problems, before or after. Will turners flight logs will turners flight logs are an exciting new series of novels following the life and career of a pioneer aviator. Flight test guidelines for homebuiltexperimental aircraft. The new flight testing homebuilt aircraft, an updated and improved version of the 1992 edition, is designed to give you the techniques and tools to help you flight test your creation. Even if you bring in a more experienced pilot to make the first couple of flights, this book will help you to work with them to agree on the best way to develop your aircraft. Flight testing resources exellent links to information and tips on flight testing your homebuilt aircraft. Pdf flight test guidelines for homebuiltexperimental aircraft. Homebuilt performance computer a shareware java based utility to help the homebuilder perform calculations to define a homebuilt project. Flight testing your homebuilt aircraft for the first time is statistically proven to be a riskier proposition than normal flight operations.

Flight testing homebuilt aircraft book, ebook, vaughan. Pilot engineer vaughan askue, manager of customer development at sikorsky aircraft in stratford, in his book flight testing homebuilt aircraft says. Realizing that these aircraft can be highly individualized something on the order of a poh would be very desirable. The 25 hour flight test program was developed based on ideas and information obtained from the faas advisory circular ac9089 amateurbuilt aircraft flight testing handbook federal aviation administration, 1989, flight testing homebuilt aircraft askue, 1992, and the mustang ii construction manual. Specialising in developing flight modelling software for use in assessing aircraft behaviour and performance. Another example of homebuilt flight test pitfalls is the four seat design called the velocity. Askue takes you from taxi tests, through first flight and up to stability testing and envelope expansion. The following information is not crash course on how to become a prototype test pilot.

Cx3 flight computer approved for faa knowledge exams and the cockpit. Some improvements that could have been made were to have a more in depth analysis of the weight and balances of. Development of a flight test program for a homebuilt zenith. This book contains test cards for each task in a flight test program for light aircraft. The new flight testing homebuilt aircraft askue batb205 pilots. Flight testing homebuilt aircraft explore the performance and limitations of light aircraft. The aircraft can then be flown in phase i of the flight test program. This advisory circular ac provides suggestions and safety related recommendations primarily to assist amateur and ultralight builders in developing individualized aircraft flight test plans.

Flight testing of fixed wing aircraft, by ralph kimberlin, 2003, and published by american institute of aeronautics and astronatics, isbn 1563475642. Aviation magazines are another source for flight reports covering numerous homebuilt types. Even if you bring in a more experienced pilot to make the first couple of flights, this book will help you to work with them to agree on the best way to develop your. Gary nablos first test flight of his new homebuilt taylor. Browse through our list of frequently asked questions below.

We cover topics relevant to anyone who has ever dreamed of building or owning a homebuilt experimental aircraft. The sleek homebuilt jet would be the first supersonic homebuilt, or so claimed its designer. Ultralight aircraft shoppers guide shows over 250 ultralights, trikes, powered parachutes, gyros and vintage ultralights. The faa will mandate that the aircraft be flight tested for at least 40 hours 25 hours if you use a typecertificated engine and prop combination to prove the aircraft is safe for flight.

The eaa flight test manual provides the guidance and data collection process to bring simplicity to a flight testing program, eaa officials say. The vast majority of homebuilt aircraft these days tend to be similar in concept to my 9, in that they are not designed by the builder, rather the builder orders plans, or a kit, from a reputable manufacturer who has done the necessary flight testing to show an average pilot will not kill himself in that design through any fault with the design. Even if you bring in a more experienced pilot to make the first couple of flights, this book will help you to work with. Flight testing homebuilt aircraft this book gives you, the builder, the tools to test your creation safely with professional results, greatly increasing your knowledge of your airplane and its capabilities. Flight testing homebuilt aircraft by askue, vaughan and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.

Develop a useable envelope as safely and efficiently as possible. Development of a flight test program for a homebuilt. Even if you bring in a more experienced pilot to make the first couple of flights, this book will help you to work with them to agree on the best way to develop. The aircraft nationality and registration marks are in accordance with far 45, subpart c. Homebuilt pilot operating handbook archive eaa forums. Apr 15, 2019 she holds a private pilot certificate and built a pulsar xp, kolb mark iii extra, and a portion of a rotorway exec 162. To prepare, i read the book, flight testing homebuilt aircraft by vaughan askue and found it very useful, even as an experienced pilot. If you have general questions about experimental aviation or are new to homebuilts and have questions about how to get started this is the place. As the author points out, the flight testing phase is a great opportunity to have fun and really learn the boundries of the airplanes performance, while also proving what you may think you already know. Have a question about avemcos homebuilt aircraft insurance. Of course, if you build a thatcher airplane, you will not have to testfly a prototype as i did. Be sure the pilot you choose is current and has flown. Ntsb accident data show that experimental and amateur. Flight testing requires a different perspective, and this book will help you adjust to that perspective.