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Evaluating
a new aircraft or airborne system demands a strong background in
mathematics and the physical sciences as well as extensive flying
experience. Many pilots and engineers selected to attend
flight test schools have not had the opportunity for many years to
exercise the academic skills learned in school. The objectives of the
course are to prepare the students academically in the basic
concepts of mathematics, physics, aerodynamics, aircraft
performance and stability and control and airborne systems
evaluation techniques. The six-week course is basically divided
into three sections:
1. Two week refresher in
mathematics (trigonometry,
calculus, differential equations)
and physical sciences
2. Two weeks of introduction to performance and flying qualities
flight testing
3. Two weeks of introduction to airborne systems evaluations
During
the four weeks the student attends the introductory performance
& flying qualities and systems courses, they learn the basics
of test team building, data analysis, and report writing.
Data flights are flown in an instrumented Merlin III or a D.H.
Dove, which reinforces the data acquisition and data analysis
techniques learned in the classroom. Hands-on flights are
flown in several NTPS aircraft for flight test techniques
demonstrations and practice.
During
the two weeks of math and physics refresher, pilots will fly a
variety of NTPS aircraft to broaden their flying background.
Engineer students receive hands-on flight training.
Afternoons are devoted to academics.
This
course, offered twice a year since 1976, has proven to be a very
successful preparatory school for pilots and engineers prior to
entering test pilot schools both in the US and abroad.
Foreign students who speak English as a second language find the
course particularly useful as an immersion course in technical
English and as an exposure to a different culture.
PreTPS
Mechanics and Mathematics Reviews.PDF
Call for Quote.
Please send inquiries to: Director
of Admissions
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Descriptions
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