Building Test Cards

Name: Building Test Cards
Rating: 4.8 (7 reviews)

Systematic work instructions for test pilots/flight test engineers

Created byDavid Kern

Last updated 4/2024

English

What you'll learn

Apply a systematic structure to flight test cards that improves safety, effectivenss, and efficiency
Identify the types of cards and standard formats in a flight test deck
List critical elements of information for a test card
Recognize test pilot school and industry best practices

Course content

1 section • 8 lectures • 43m total length

Introduction and Welcome3:35
Discover how test cards guide flight test teams with step-by-step procedures to collect the right data, covering categories, formats, tools, and the self-contained, stand-alone principle.
Typical Cards in a Test Deck8:01
Explore typical patterns and categories of test cards in a flight test deck, including cover, admin, reference, configuration control, calibration, and the five test card types.
Formats and Tools4:02
Explore formats and tools for test cards, from paper notes and test card decks to database driven solutions and PDFs, and weigh cockpit constraints against team proficiency.
Strategy and Variations7:41
Strategize and vary test cards to create standalone, thorough instructions that yield the right data, including setup conditions, go-no-go considerations, and cleanup for disciplined flight-test execution with role-specific versions.
Recommended Elements of Information4:52
Explore essential elements of information for test cards, including configuration control, setup, safety factors, go-no-go criteria, data capture, and clear test procedures with timestamps.
Test Card Gallery12:00
Explore a gallery of flight test cards, comparing cover and data card formats and key elements. Learn from stall tests, mishaps, and checklist discipline to improve data quality and safety.
Continuous Improvement2:58
Record and manage red line changes during test pre-flights and execution, update master copies, capture lessons learned separate from data, and archive scanned test cards to protect accuracy.
Exit survey0:16

Requirements

No previous experience required.

Description

Test cards are systematic work instructions for test pilots and flight test engineers, with steps and procedures to gain required test data. This course teaches design of test cards, shows common errors, lists best practices, and includes free templates.

Our short course includes material covering:

Typical Cards in a Test Deck
Formats and Tools
Strategy and Variations
Recommended Elements of Information
Continuous Improvement

The Daedalus Aerospace course "Building Test Cards" includes:

Over 30 minutes of video
Free downloads of test card templates
Direct access to the instructor for questions

Master the skill of building test cards for ground and flight tests - advance your flight test professional development by enrolling in this course. Gain insights from best practices used at Test Pilot Schools and the best aerospace manufacturers, from an expert with years of hands-on experience in flight testing. Learn strategies for comprehensive test cards that reliably execute for data acquisition while trapping errors. Access downloadable test card templates and and tools to accelerate your flight test learning.

Your engineering team will appreciate the fast-paced delivery and detailed instruction. The on-demand format is perfect for continuing education and professional development.

Enroll in this course in order to:

Apply a systematic structure to improve safety, effectiveness, and efficiency
Identify the types of cards and standard formats in a flight test deck
List critical elements of information for a test card
Recognize test pilot school and industry best practices

Taught by instructor test pilot David Kern, a graduate of the US Air Force Test Pilot School, with experience planning and flying hundreds of flight test missions for civil aircraft certification and military projects. He is an Associate Fellow with the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and Member of the Society of Flight Test Engineers.

Who this course is for:

This is a beginner course for anyone developing new aerospace technology, either as a test pilot or flight test engineer.