Avionics flight testing of light transport aircraft-modern trends and challenges

Flight Testing is an important phase of any aircraft development program, which deals with13; pre and post flight test activities for successful certification of aircraft. This involves flight planning, flighttesting,13; flight data analysis and validation as part of the data analysis process. The data, so acquired during the13; flight test is used to evaluate the flight performance of aircraft and its subx2013;systems in terms of their design13; objectives complying with design, development and testing standards.13; The primary objectives of flight-testing are to find the transparent or hidden design problem and to fix them13; as part of the process. Also the document verification with regard to the compliance to the relevant standards13; based on aircraft category along with aircraft system functionality requirements.13; SARAS, 14 seater twin turbo-prop multi-role aircraft is being flight-tested with two prototype aircrafts13; flying in parallel to accomplish the flight-testing for system and sub-system functionality. This paper13; describes the flight test activities of SARAS in general and avionics functionality in particular. Flight trials13; can be divided into 3 sections, planning, execution and analysis and reporting. These sections and process13; involves meticulous planning, methodical approach towards appropriation of test functionality for each sortie,13; efficient data capturing, effective data analysis, intelligent problem definition and result conclusion.13; This paper covers the appropriate relevant flight test sections applicable to SARAS in accordance with the13; FAA Advisory Circular 25-7A. The avionics subsystems of SARAS are broadly classified as Communication13; System, Navigation System, Warning System, Radar System, Display System, and Recording System. Also13; details the process, procedure, methodology, activities, standards and approach towards avionics flighttesting.13; Flight Testing is highly expensive and potentially very risky. Unforeseen problems can lead to13; damage to aircraft and loss of life, both of aircrew and people on the ground. For these reasons modern flighttesting13; is probably one of the most safety conscious professions today. Hence sufficient safety procedures and pro-active precautions followed during the flight test planning, execution and analysis and reporting is addressed with practical scenarios and case studies. The flight test system architecture is also addressed in brief as part of the complete setup. An effort is made to bring out the practical, procedural, safety and functional problems faced during the flight-testing of SARAS.