Flight Testing Homebuilt Aircraft (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The flight test process should begin when you first spread out your newly acquired plans on the kitchen table and begin figuring out how to..." (more)
Key Phrases: potato diagram, longitudinal stick position, dihedral effect, Sport Aviation, Speed Fig, Falco Flight Test Guide (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Now that it's built, how well will it fly? "Flight Testing Homebuilt Aircraft" tells how to test such aircraft systematically and safely, with professional results. It defines flight testing as a four-phase step-by-step process of learning the limitations of an aircraft; defining and eliminating aircraft problems; and determining aircraft capability and optimum flying techniques - all with minimum risk to pilot and machine. With straightforward description and more than 80 illustrations, the book teaches builders to use this process to design thorough, safe flight tests customized to specific aircraft in specific testing environments.

Product Details

• Paperback: 190 pages
• Publisher: Iowa State Press; 1st edition (June 30, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813813085
• ISBN-13: 978-0813813080
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #661,766 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction into flight testing your aircraft, March 18, 1997

By A Customer

I found this book an excellent introduction into flight testing a homebuilt aircraft. Not only does it go into the "how" of flight testing but "why". It is aimed at the homebuilder who wants to test his/her own aircraft and it is a good guide on how to prepare a proper test program. I thought it was worth the money.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reccomended by KRNET http://www.teleport.com/~rossy/N541.htm, April 26, 1997

By A Customer

Several of us on KRNET who are building KR-2 aircraft refer to this book as a guide during the design and building phases of construction. I consider it a excellent treatment of the topic, and it is a valuable reference. I plan to use it during the flight testing phases of my project.

5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource and planning guide, August 6, 2009

By	Jared Yates (North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flight Testing Homebuilt Aircraft (Paperback)

I've really enjoyed this book. It lays out a method for developing a flight testing program for an experimental airplane. It seems that so many people just fly off the required 40 hours and don't really prove or evaluate the airplanes performance envelope. As the author points out, the flight testing phase is a great opportunity to have fun and really learn the boundries of the airplane's performance, while also proving what you may think you already know. The testing program ideas in the book start even before the first taxi, which is a great approach. The testing involves a step-by-step approach to expanding the loading envelope and inspecting the airplane, and several other tests to help make sure that there aren't any problems with controlling the airplane. The book would be great to use for developing a flight test for proven designs as well as for new designs (though not enough information to create a new design of course). I would suggest that you read the book fairly early in your project, certainly before you have finished building. There are some great tips about how to set up the cockpit to create a safer and more comfortable space. Perhaps the only thing negative that I would say is that the book seems a bit dated, sort of like the Bingelis books. I wouldn't say that the content is out of date, but it could probably be due for a revision since the demographics of the homebuilt fleet have changed some since the last one.