Week 43 to 45 - November 01 to 20

What happened : After coming back from the field trips, we have been busy, as always. We finished all the checkrides, we took the comprehensive written exams, and half the class got the oral comp exams. We finished most of the curriculum flights, at the exception of the gliders and VISTA. VISTA is a hgly modified F-16 which can simulate almost any aircraft you could imagine. The great thing with VISTA is that everybody get to fly in the front cockpit, including FTEs. Waow, the view is great, so much better than from the backseat !!! We also had to work on some reports, including the capstone report and the TMP report. Two of the groups had their "murder board", a 4h long meeting to review the report before it get published. We also had great qual-eval : Extra 300, Zepplin and a trip to the USS Reagan !

 

 

The trip to the carrier was really awesome ! we got to fly on the COD (a twin prop aircraft) to a from the carrier, which mean that we got to experience a "trap" (landing) and a "cat" (take-off) !!!! We also got to see landings from the bridge and from the LSO platefrom. Nothing better than standing 15 feet from where an F-18 is going to catch one of the cable and slow down from 140 to 0 knots in about 2 seconds !!!

What's next : some vista and glider flights left, HU-16 qual eval, comp orals, TMP oral presentation, some reports to finish. In three weeks, we'll be graduating ! Three weeks, baby !!!

Week 38 to 42 - September 26 to October 31

Well, it's been 5 busy weeks, and I kind of forgot to update the blog.
The first three weeks have been very, very busy for most of us. After the TMP flights and SETP, we had many curriculum events to accomplish, many reports to write, include the first draft of the TIM, or technical information memorandum, which is the TMp report. Also, the engineers had to do their structure checkrides (and the first flight checkride for those of us that were left behind). The structure checkride happens in the control room, with a student and an IP flying the F16, and we have to closely monitor a large number of crtical parameters during dynamic maneuvers.
The other academic events included the engine out demo, weapon deliveries (pilots only), the F-15E system eval, the F-15D CFP (for the pilots only), the air to air lab, ASTAR (a modified Saab 340 with lots of systems inside to evaluate), Gliders (FQ and spins).
After that, we want on the field trips. First, 6 pilots went to Tucson, AZ, to fly the A-10 ! Then, we all went to Eglin AFB for tours and presentations of their activites, and to Patuxent River NAS, home to Navy TPS, where we got to fly a lot : F-18F for most of us, and helicopters : H-72 (also called EC-145), UH-60 (Blackhawk) or H-58 (Kiowa). Some also flew the U-6 Beaver, a tail dragger with a big radial engine. The week was quite busy but we still found the time to go to nice places in the evenings. We all got very jealous of USNTPS : they have trees and water !!!! (and a nice building). What a refreshing change after so many months in Edwards. It even rained for a while !
And then, the capstone trips : 2 went to China Lake to fly the Apache and the Growler (F-18G), 9 went to France and flew Mirage 2000 and Alphajet, and 5 to Spain to fly the Casa 101 and the Casa 212. These flight will be followed, as usual, by a report.
We are now ready for the home run to graduation : 40 days left, 6 weeks including the last one which will be mainly dedicated to outprocessing.
What we have left : systems checkride for the pilots and our CSO, some leftovers 1st flight or structure checkrides for FTEs, the Vista flights (a highly modifed F-16 which can simulate any flight qualities, similar the the Learjet VSS but with higher G performance), the ASI (avionics system intagration) lab, and glider spins. and also some qual evals : KC-135, C-17, HU-16, Extra 300 and the Blimp. Not everybody will get to fly on each of these aircraft though. That's for the fun. We also have to finish reports, including weapon deliveries, engine out, ASTARS, F-15 system Eval, Capstone, and obviously the TIM and the TMP PRR(test management project - preliminary review report, a one hour oral presntation which will be on monday of the last week of class). And then, on december 10th, graduation. It's getting closer !!!

Week 36 and 37 - September 12 to 25

What happened over the last two weeks ? We completed the second week of TMP flights, with a couple FTT briefs in the middle. Then, we had three days of class with academics in the morning and flight in the afternoon. Because USN TPS was visiting, they used most of the jets and IPs and we did not fly that much (one or two first flight checkrides, IFAST vs F16+ECM pod, and some weapon deliveries sim). The academics were FTT briefs or ground schools : ASTARS, F15 system eval, F15 CFP (captive flight profile, or weapon vibration validation), KC135 ground school, C12 engine out, structures checkrides, ... We will be busy in the next couple weeks.
(ASTARS is a modified Saab 340 with lots of systems inside that we will evalute during a 4h, partly night time, flight)(the IFAST vs F-16 + ECM ride is a demo to teach us how to test electronic countermeasures in flight).
Then, thursday, friday and saturday we all went to Anaheim for the SETP (society of experimental test pilots) symposium. 3 days of technical lectures mixed with free food, free drinks in the hospitality suites, and disney fun (on firday night).
Next week, we are back to the regular schedule for three intense weeks, with a lot of rides planned / ASTARS, weapon deliveries, EO demo in the F16, Vista HQ demo, the end of the first flight checkrides, the beginning of the structure checkrides, glider HQ, C12 engine out, F15 systems and F15 CFP, and KC-135 multi engine HQ. And to make it easier, there will be reports to write for a lot of these rides (EO, sys eval, weapon del, KC135, engine out, VISTA and ASTARS). Plus of course the big TMP report.

Week 34 and 35 - August 29 to September 11

What happened over the last two week : Week 34 was really the same as the previous couple weeks with C12 checkrides for FTE, AN-2 flights, gliders, EO labs, EO demo flights in the F-16 for a couple people, and a lot of prep for the TMPs.
End then, for the first time this year, we only had one thing to worry about with the first week of TMP flying. Have pain got it, Have splash did not find any splash at first but finally got some data, Hav Hal declared they had the best TMP ever and Speed Pacer flew straight and level, except for the odd turn.
We also took the "count down board" up and running : less than 100 days until graduation !!! To celebrate, we had the most awesome 80's party saturday night. Shamu certainly will remember this night for a long time (never, ever, leave your car unattended next to a bunch of pilots).
Next week will be the second week of TMP flights. Monday, we have to present our preliminary results and review our test mangement, in an oral exercise called a "PAR" (no idea what it really means). The rest of the week should be TMP only. The week after, we'll go back to our regular schedule with some FTT briefs and curriculum flights. The F-15 should be here for a couple flights. Then, on the same week, we'll all go to SETP (near Disneyland) for three days.

Week 33 - August 22 to 28

The navigation systems exam last week was our last academic exam - not counting the comprehensive written and orals obviously. But that will by in october/november....
After navigation systems, we had classes on integrated avionic systems and on weapons.
All the rest was pretty much the rest, more flying, more reports, more checkrides .....
The two new events were the first AN-2 qual eval, and flying qualities evaluations in the glidres (ASK-21 and GroB103)

Next week, we'll have : more weapon classes (weapon delivery, smart weapons, and some FTT briefs). More checkrides (for the FTEs), gliders FQ demo, AN-2, and many labs and sims.
And the last run before the TMP flight window (which start on tuesday, september 6th)

Week 32 - August 15 to 22

Last week, we finished the EW (electronic warfare) class, including a lecture by Shamu himself (the TPS commandant), submitted our EO/IR exams, and took the EW exam. Then we had two briefs for new FTTs (the air to air combat system sim and the EO demo in the F-16). Both sim and flight should begin over the next couple weeks. And finally, we begun the "integrated navigation systems" class.
On the flying side, there was more checkrides for the pilots in the T-38, more of the VSS flights, including the famous "fly-off" : since we have validated our FCS designs, pilots get to test 4 of them and vote for the best. Of course, they all try to guess if the design they are testing is the one they worked on ....
We also had some more labs, including EO labs and IFAST radar lab. IFAST is a facility here at Edwards that has an F-16 radar stuck on an outside wall. Rather convenient to work on it without being restricted by flight time or the number of people on board !
Finally, the first FTEs had their "first flight checkride". The objective is to perform the first flight of the C-12 (even though we all flew a  lot in that aircraft). That is a good challenge and requires a lot of work.
We have to present a brief the day prior to the flight, and based on IPs feedback, we then need to change our test cards for the next day, which is the checkride itself. We also have a chase for this ride, which had a good amount of planning. As always, planning is really important, and about 55% of the grade is decided before we even board the C12. And since it's a checkride, the grade is worth about 35% of the whole flying qualities part of the curriculum !!

Next week, we'll have : the end of the navigation systems class (and the exam), and the beginning of integrated avionics. More checkrides (both pilots and FTEs), gliders FQ demo, and many labs and sims.
And since we finally got feedback on our Lat-Dir 5314, we'll have to submit our Lat-Dir  group technical reports.

Week 30 and 31 - August 1st to 14

First of all, let me apologize for not writing anything last week ....
So what happenned over these two weeks ? In a flurry of activity, we moved forward in the curriculum. Acedemics : we had the radar exam and the EO/IR class as expected, followed by the EW class (ok, maybe some explainations would help : EO = electro-optics and IR = infrared, or how to detect a target without a radar; EW = electronic warfare, or how to defeat a radar or how to defeat a jammer trying to defeat our radar, or .... well, you get it).
Reports : the number of reports to write is getting insane : in just 5 days, I got 5 new reports to write, as most people in the class : departure data, FCS project, HQ-stall data, MiG qual-eval and T-6 qual-eval.
But hey, that means I got to fly on this to extra cool aircrafts !!! And yes, I'm talking about the AT-6C Texan, the WW2 famous trainer !

And finally, we had to seat through a 6h meeting for our TRB/SRB (technical and safety review boards for our TMP).
On the flying side, we almost finished the departure data ride in the F-16, finished the stall-HQ data rides in the T-38, half the pilots got their FQ check ride, almost all of us got to test our flight control system designs in the VSS Learjet 25. We also had the first of the radar labs (yes, that's not really a flight).
Next week, we'll have : lots of system classes and systems FTT briefs, the beginning of the "first flight check-rides" in the C12 (more on that next week), the rest of the T-6 qual evals, and many systems labs.

Week 28 and 29 - July 18 to 31

Two weeks have already gone by. So what happened ?
Flights : we finished the lat-dit data flights in the T-38 and almost finished the F-16 departure demo, as well as the T-38 stall and HQ demo. Some pilots still have their F-16 HQ demo. Finally, everybody got to fly the great Fouga !
Academics : We completed the datalink and communications class, and then the radar academics. Also, we finished the last class for the FCS project.
What's happening, or will shortly happen ?
Flights : starting tomorrow monday, the first of the flying qualities checkrides for the pilots. T-38 HQ and stall data rides, and the target rides that goes with it. F-16 departure data ride should begin quickly after that. FCS ground testing on the learjet, and the week after should see the flight test of our FCS designs. But the most fun is the 2nd qual eval : the MiG-15 !

Acedemics : next week, we will start electro-optics and have the radar exam.
Reports : as always, there are several reports to write. Currently, most of us are working on lat-dir data TR (technical report), MiG and Fouga 5314 (daily flight report), T-38 HQ-Stall 5314.
As always, we are also working hard on the TMP : draft 2 of the test plan was due last friday, the safety plan for next week, and we also have to get ready for the TRB/SRB (technical and safety review boards). The flight window is getting close, just one month to go !
And by the way, we now fly in the afternoon. Although we were desperate for the end of the early morning go's with 0600 brief, we now have to face three digit temperatures as we lock ourselves under the canopys.... I don't know which one I like the most

Week 27 - July 11 to 17

Last week, we had less classes than usual since one of the TMP groups went TDY (temporary deployment) to test the G-suits in the centrifuge at Randolph AFB, San Antonio, TX.
Otherwise, we had the usual turf : F-16 demo departures, T-38 lat-dir flights, T-38 HQ demo, T-38 stqll demo, F-16 HQ demo, and more of the FCS project.
But we also had our first qual eval, in the Fouga Magister CM170. This great french made fighter trainer from the 50s was ours for one hour each. Nine of us already flew it, the rest of the class will follow soon !
Next week, we begin the system phase with communication : datalink academics followed by the begining of radar academics. And we will have ground school for the second qual eval : the MiG-15 !The rest will be pretty much the same.
See you all next week !

Week 23 to 26 - June 12 to July 10

Yes, it's been 4 weeks. Week 23 was the last one before the break, and though there definitly was a "soon on break" feeling, the work was still there to be done. Mainly, we went deeper into the flying qualities group with more data flights, and therefore more 5314 report to write. Most groups also started working on the long-stat technical report (TR). Other rides included LCO with the F16 and the control room, departure demo, and others. We also had the brief for the T-38 stall demo, and the academics for the FCS project, step 2 (analog desgin).
Then, we had the 15 days break, and that was awesome ! We went back to classe on the 5th of july, ready for almost 6 more months at TPS. That first week back at school wass interesting : we had the introduction the the Qual Eval program, that could be summuraized as : one aircraft, one flight, one report ! First aircraft will be the CM170 Fouga Magister :

We can't wait to fly that great little airplane that you mostly find in museum todays !
Wa also had more academics on the flight control system project, this time for the digital FCS design (and one more report), and the T-38 handling qualities demo, and the F16 HQ demo ....

So, what will we be doing over the next couple weeks :
- T-38 FQ data groups : more data ride (end of the lat-dir, maybe the first stall/HQ), with reports to write
- T-38 stall demo and HQ demo
- F-16 HQ demo for the pilots
- F-16 departure demo, followed by the F-16 departure datagroups flight (one more report)
- Learjet FCS project ground and flight test (yes, there's a report for that too)
- Fouga qual Eval (yes, report, but I would write 10 reports to have the opportunity to fly it)

And of course, we still have to get ready for our TMPs. Next week, we'll have the TPWG (test plan working group). The week after, the first draft of the test plan will be due. Only 7 weeks before we fly, anbd there is so much to do !!

Week 22 - June 4 to 11

And there goes the seniors. Yesterday (saturday 10th) was the 10B graduation party. With the seniors gone, we are getting ourselves ready to welcome the new (11B) class and assume our new "senior class" status.
Apart from that, nothing really new.  We still have a busy flying schedule. Propulsion demo, long-stat demo, and T-38 FQ demo are over, but we still have LCO, departure, lat-dir C12 demo, long-stat and lat-dir T-38 data, and maybe a couple others I'm forgetting.
 Next week, we may have a brief for the T-38 HQ demo.
Which brings me to last week's quizz : FQ, or flying qualities, refers to the dynamics of the aircraft alone. HQ, or hqndling qualities, refer to the characteristics  of the aircarft + the pilot. In other word, to assess FQ, we just "excite" the natural modes of the aircraft, using maneuvers such as steady handing sideslip, doublets, ... For HQ, we have to define tasks such as : keep the target within 1 mrad of the center of your visor, and then evaluate how easy it is to perform that task. All right, did I got it right Mr Twisdale ??
Last week, we also began our flight control system (FCS) project. Using Matlab, we are designing a longitudinal FCS to improve the handling qualities of the learjet.
Next week ,we will have a new class : desgin of experiment, and I'm not sure what this is all about.

Also, at the end of next week will be our much needed 2 weeks break.
I won't be writing anything here until after we come back, so that will be on sunday, 10th of July.

Week 20 and 21 - May 23 to June 3

Two weeks ago was memorial day, hence a very welcome 4 day WE. the week before that has been extremely busy. We suddenly found out that we really had to get all the pieces of our oral presentation  for the performance phase together (remember, some months ago, I told you that we were divided in three data groups to collect test data on our aircraft performances). But at the same time, we had to prepare the first of our TMP meeting. And we also realized that, while we had neglected it for almost a month, the first of the flying quality data rides were upon us. Imagine having to manage meetings with three different groups (perf, FQ, TMP) for almost simultaneous deadlines, in a 4 days week, with still flights, classes, reports like the HU16 checkride written report....to do.
I know, we should have know better and get better organized, and maybe do some of that in advance.
Well, by some sort of miracle, everything got done in time and we were able to enjoy the memorial WE.
Last week, we had our oral presentations, at least for the T-38 and F-16 groups (the C12 group has been postponed to next friday). We also finished the "preparation for FQ testing" class, which began the week before. Thisnew class was a medley of many very short classes. Among them : parameters estimation, ground vibration testing, taxi testing, ASE testing, first flight, enveloppe expension, filters and anti-aliasing, simulation use in flight test, aerodynamic model validation, and so on. On the flying side, almost everybody is now done with the C12 long-stat demo and the propulsion demo. T-38 dynamic FQ demo is half way through, and we had our first long-stat data rides in the T-38. Some of the FTE had the opportunity to do the departure demo in the F-16 : put some ballast in the back of the F-16, climb away from the ground, pull hard on the stick to override the AOA (angle of attack) limiter, and here you are, tumbling out of the sky in a very uncontrolled fashion.
Next week will be week 48 for the seniors, meaning : graduation ! After that, we'll be seniors
On the academic side, we will begin the flight control system (FCS) project with Mr Twisdale, and keep flying as much as we can (C12 lat-dir demo, T-38 dynamic demo, T-38 HQ demo, T-38 stall demo, F-16 departure demo, T-38 FQ data rides, F-16 LCO -limit cycle oscillations- demo with the control room, and so on).
By the way, quick quizz : what is the difference between FQ (flying qualities) and HQ (handling qualities) ?
Answer next week.

Week 19 - May 16 to 22

Things are spooling up at TPS for the still junior but soon to be senior 11A class. Performance checkrides (both multi-engine and fighter) are complete. Most FTE still have their reports to write. Also, we 'll have to do our oral presentation for the performance data flights first week of june, and that implies a lot of Matlab (plots, plots, plots). Flying-wise, we reached the point where we now have to be ready to fly any of 6 or more different rides. Right now, we have : propulsion, LCO (limit cycle oscillation), departure (tumbling out of the sky - and out of control), all three in the F16 (or control room if you're an FTE - although we will have a demo for departure), C12 longitudinal stability and C12 lat-dir stability, and T-38 HQ (handling qualities) demo. And most of us still haven't done our glider demo.
Academics, on the other hand, were lighter this week : failure state testing, or more simply, "flying with an engine out", store certification and a couple FTT, including F16 departure.
Aside from work, we had an awesome 50 days party for the 10B (it was in fact 2 weeks ago but I think I forgot to mention it). We also had our "thirsty thursday", like almost every week, thanks to our amazing spouses ! They are really great to relax and talk with each other outside of work.
At the end of next week, we will have a much appreciated 4 days WE, and 3 weeks after that, the curriculum break and we will be the seniors !

Week 18 - May 9 to 15

This week, we had a 11 hours class on stall, departure and spin testing. On the flying side, nothing much new, except that we got the first of the propulsion demo : the pilots get to fly the F-16, while the FTEs go to the control room. not as much fun, but necessary ! Otherwise, more C12 practice check-rides, HU16 check-rides, fighter check-rides, the first of the C12 longitudinal stability demo, more learjet VSS (long stat is over, lat-dir also, and a few FTEs got the specific FTE ride and flew in the right seat (instead of staying in the back). The VSS rides are very interesting since we can evaluate handling qualities of many different types of aricraft in one flight, but not very enjoyable from a back-seater point of view : barf bags mandatory ! Even some of the pilots admitted that they had managed to make themselves sick, while being at the controls !!
Next week, we will have many different small classes (failure testing, some FTT briefs, ...) and many different flights (C12, VSS, LCO, proplusion demo, ....). More on that next sunday !

Week 16 & 17 - April 25 to May 8

First of all, let me apologize for missing a week, but I have been quite busy becoming a dad .....
So, what happened over these two weeks ? I'm not so sure, having missed a ouple days, but I will try to give you a good overlook.
We had a structure class, followed by "ASE" : aero-servo-elastic coupling. In a nutshell, we studied all the coupling that can happen both on the ground and in the air : flutter, limit cycle ocsillations, rigid body limit cycle, ....
Then we had to choose our TMP (Test Management Project). They will keep us very busy for the rest of the year at TPS. We will have to manage a full test project, for real customers, while still doing academics, curriculum flights, tests, checkrides, .... We will have to write test plan, safety plan, concept letters, coordinate TPWG (test plan working group) , and so on ! We then had several days of academics to teach us everything we needed to get started on these TMPs.
On the flying side, more VSS flights in the learjet, practice checkride in the C12, checkrides in the HU16, fighter checkrides in the T38 or the F16, and so on.
Next week should be about the same for the flights, with maybe the first of the C12 longitudinal stability demo flights. On the academic side, we will have a serious challenge with "spin and departure".

Week 15 - April 18 to 24

Last week, we began the checkrides. Although the first team was cancelled/delayed several times, mainly because of the strong wind, they finally flew on friday. In the next weeks, all pilots will have to do their performance checkrides and their fighter checkrides, along with a practice for each. FTE/Ns only have the perf one. The performance practice happens in the C12, so their isn't much to discover, but the acutal checkride will happen in the HU16 Albatross.

We also began the flights in the Learjet VSS (Variable Stability Simulator) : it is modified with a digital FCS that allow us to "feel" different aircraft handling qualities in only one flight. And even to fly fictious configuration, like neutrally stable on the pitch axis (change the angle of attack, release the stick, it stays there), or directionnaly unstable (trying to keep the aircraft flying straight requires a lot of concentration). This came along with several hours of "handling qualities evaluation" class with T. Twisdale.
Aside from that, we finally got our patch (we atually got it a couple weeks ago but i forgot to mention it) :

We also had a naming for all of us FTE that did not already have a callsign :
Jeremey - Leeroy
Daryl -  Hammer
Joe - Ham
Tomo - Hatrick
Jessica - Stab
Javier - Motor
Jean - Sheldon
Chris - Norm
Dean - Doser
Francois - G-arf

Next week : more practice checkride. The HU16 should be here, so we will also get the first performance checkrides. Some glider demos if the weather permits, more Learjet, photo safety chase for those left behind.
On the academics, we will have structures and aero-servo-elastic coupling. We will also get a 4 hours class on Test safety. This will be the first of a long series of classes that will taught us everything we need to know to organize a flight test. TMPs (test management projects) are getting closer !

Week 14 - April 11 to 18

Last week was not very enjoyable since we had to take three exams : analog FCS, digital FCS, and last but certainly not least, Trim and stability.
As for the flights, the T-38 group finsihed their data rides, the C12 should be shortly behind but the F16 guys still have many rides to do. It seems that F16 availability is better during afternoon so we will undergo an experiment in may with all flying days but also all academics day. Some also had a chance to do the photos/safety chase flight. If that is routine for the fighter pilots, it was new to many FTEs, and we enjoyed it !!!
We also got our group assignements for the HQ phase : we are now divided into four groups (instead of 3 for the perf phase) and will have the task to report on the handling qualities of the T-38.
Finally, many people finished their Human Factor cockpit evaluation reports, as well as their Aeromodelling reports.
Next week, we will study "handling qualities" testing and begin the first of the HQ flights with the Variable Stability Simulator Learjet (VSS). More on that next week ...... We will also see the first of the practice checkrides, some will continue with their data rides, photo/safety chases, and so on.

Week 13 - April 4 to 10

On the academic side, we had more analog FCS (Flight Control System), then digital FCS, and the beginning of trim and stabilty. No doubt about it, we are fully in the FQ (flying qualities) academic phase. But not for the flights. More performance data rides, mainly cruise and aeromodelling. Most of us have two reports to write (aeromodelling and human factor cockpit eval). We also had the brief for the C12 practice performance check ride.
Next week, we will have more trim and stability, three tests (Digital FCS, Analog FCS, Trim and stability), and a get a couple FTT briefs.
We will also start the photo/safety chase demo flights ! That is going to be exciting !!!

Week 12 - march 28 to april 3

Last week, we kept on flying on studying. Nothing really new, we continued doing our turn performance, level acceleration and sawtooth climbs to prepare for our performance evaluation oral reports. The pilos had a demo on how to do aeromodelling, which involves doing split-S (start inverted and level, and pull toward the ground to increase g's while keeping the Mach number constant), Roller-Coaster (speaks for itself, push, pull, up, and down, ....) or wind-up turns. We also had a brief on the coming photo and safety chase. They are going to be very intersting flights, but very demanding as well.
On academics, we had a break from aeronautics with T&E (test and evaluation, or everything you may want to know about the acquisition programs in the DoD), and we started " analog flight control system". Bode plots, root locus, gain margin and open loop transfer functions were the main subjects of the week.
Next week, we will have a brief for the oncoming practice checkrides, finish Analog FCS and move on to digital FCS, and start the cruise data rides. The first teams will also have to turn in the human factor cockpit evaluation reports.

P.S : sorry for the late post.

Week 11 - march 21 to 27

Who said that it was always dry and sunny at Edwards. The lakes are full and our logbooks empty !
Well it is true that the Canadians were here last week. Apart from not flying a lot, we finshed unaugmented equations of motions, and moved on to analog flight control systems. In between, we will have an express class of "test and evaluation" (more explicitly, how does AF Material Command works, and how do you manage an acquistion programm).
Thursday, we had a visit from Gen. Yeager. It was amazing to be able to talk with such a legend of the aeronautical world !!!!
Next week, we will finish T&E, go back to analog FCS, and fly a lot more (still turn performances, level accel and sawtooth climbs - 2 ways of finding the specific excess power of the aircraft- cruise performances and aeromodelling). We we also continue our human factor evaluation of the T-38.

week 10 - march 14 to 20

Because the propulsion class was longer than usual, we had the exam last tuesday. We also got to visit the engine maintenance facility on base, which was very instructive.. We then started one of the most important classes of the year : equation of motion. Dutch roll, short period oscillations, spiral stability, phugoid, directionnal stabilty, dihedral have no secrets for us anymore ! We also had a couple more FTT. Aeromodeling, or how to get the lift and drag curves from a single maneuver, the "split-S" (roll inverted, stablize at -1g, and start pullling on the stick; when you don't see any blue, it's time to stop).
One the flying side, the FTE finished the level-accel, sawtooth and turn demo in the C12, so that we started practising in our data group aircraft.
Next week, we will finish EOM and start and class called "test&evaluation". We won't fly much because the Navy is here as well as some Canadians, and they will have the priority on the jets.

Week 9 - march 7 to 13

This week, we welcomed to new members in the class ! Two of the FTEs had a baby (on the same day !), congrats to them.
Otherwise, we had the propulsion class, and lots of flying : perf turn demo, level accel and sawtooth climb demo (three way to find out how much excess power an aircraft has in a specific configuration), some crew solos, more low L/D demo, the last of the mission director, ...
Among all these, low L/D is probably the best : imagine starting at 25000 ft above the runway, and less than 2 minutes after that, flaring to avoid hitting the ground at about -12000 ft/min (the variometer is stuck at -6000 ft so that we can't know precisely). Well, that's how you land the shuttle, and we get to practise it in the T-38 : gear and speed brakes out (but the engine not at idle), nose pointed to the ground, and a lot of focus is what it takes.
We also finished our first report (tower fly-by air data system calibration).
Next week, we will start one of the most important class : equation of motion which is the first of many "flying qualities" classes. And with that, the "performance" academics are over. On the flying side, we will start practicing turn performance, level accel and sawtooth climbs as "crew solo" (without an IP) before we go on the "data rides" (the flights during which we will collect the data necessary for the next report).

Week 8 - february 28 to march 6

Already 8 weeks ! Time goes by so fast ....
This week, we had Human Factor on the academic side, plus a new bunch of FTT (aero-modeling, or how to find the lift and drag curves, low L/D, or how to make a space shuttle or lifting body approach, cockpit evaluation). On the flying side, we finished the tower fly-by so that we know have until thursday to complete our first report, we began turn performances, level-acceleration, and sawtooth climbs FTT (three different ways of finding the specific excess power of the aircraft). Pilots fly them either in the F16 or T38 and engineers in the C12.
Saturday was the 100 day party for the 10B. Meaning that they "only" have about 3 months before graduation ! 10B came up with a very good Hawaiin theme, and we did a "frozen roman toga" theme (the combination is unusual, but so is having the first day of class delayed because of the snow...).
Next week, we will have more of the previous flights, and a longer than usual course on propulsion.
Engineers will also go back to south base to try and finish their "airmanship" flights in the Cessnas.

Week 7 - february 20 to 27

Thank's to President's day, we had a nice 3 days week-end. And a shorter week ! On the academic side, we went through 8h of modeling and simulation plus a couple of FTT's (take-off and landing, turn performance, and a couple others I have already forgotten about....). On the flying side, pilots almost completed their check-flight phase, which means that most of them are "crew-solo" in one or two jets and are allowed to fly with one of the engineer instead of an IP. Most people also finished their "mission director" flight and some did their tower fly-by. Even though engineers don't get to fly along, they still enjoy that particular mission : they go to the "tower" (not the air control tower, a smaller and much colder one) and get to see the jets zooming by for an hour through the "eye piece", so that we can tell what height really is the aircraft above the ground (and then compare it to the altimeter reading... the whole point of the mission being to measure that difference).
Next week, we will have more FTTs, human factor class, and we will begin "turn performance" flights, and continue to go through mission director, tower fly by, FTE airmanship (I forgot to mention it, but almost everyone is stuck at 3 flight and we will have 5), and some check flights.

Week 6 - february 14 to 20

This week, we got a small break from academics with Energy class, which was far more accessible than pitots-statics. We also got a few hours of "take-off and landing performances", which thanksfully does not come with a test !
For the flying part, pilots continued on their check flights to be cleared crew solo, and about half of the engineers and pilots got to do the "mission director" flight. That is the very first step to really becoming a test crew member !
Next week we will start the "tower fly by" and we will get a new bundle of academics.

Week 5 - february 7 to 13

This week, I will try to be more detailled about what we live than the previous weeks.

Monday, we had a "spirit run". It happens every month here. We just meet shortly before 7am, warm up, run 2.5 miles, stretch, and that's it. After that, we go on with "wingman day", or rather "wingman half day", because, well, it's TPS and the schedule is tight (we are already behind they tell us). "Wingman day" is basically a pause in our routine to discuss critical subjects such as flight safety or how to help other people and prevent bad things such as suicides. We took the opportunity to get to know each other better. The afteroon was all about "pitot-static". That's academics of the week, and we are supposed to learn, in just 6 hours, how to calibrate airspeed and altitude indicator aboard the aircraft, including all the theory (and even for an aero major, it's not simple), FTT's (flight test techniques), and other practical concerns.
We also have a one hour class on "how to write a flight test report". We haven't done it yet, but we will be writing at least two a week in a few month.

Tuesday, I wake up at 5h30, get a quick shower and breakfast, arrive at TPS just before 6am, log on the intranet, print the weather, NOTAM (notice to airmen - whatever is new or changed around Edwards air space), my "Take-off and Landing Data" (TOLD) for the aircraft, the Form F (weight and balance) and the flight cards (what are we going to do in the aircraft). 6h30, I'm ready to brief with my instructor for my first fly on the T38 (as a back-seater, of course, being an engineer). 7h30 : we are done with the brief, some paperwork and we head to supply to grab our G-suit, helmet, chute ans then go to the aircraft. The ingress/egress training seems far away when I try to strap myself into the jet while my IP (instructor pilot) goes through the preflight inspection. I'm finally settled, just in time to assist in the preflight check-list. And here goes, engine #2 starts, then #1. And we are taxiing for my first T38 flight. We do some "test points" so that I can see how it is to take note in flight : performance climb, cruise performance, stalls. And then, the best part, I get to handle the jet ! Awsome !!!! It does not last long though and the IP quickly tells me that he has control, because fuel is running low (well, it's a T38, not a lot of gas in this aircraft) and we go to the part of the flight I dread : G awarness exercise : 4g, ok, 5g, everything goes gray. The IP explains to me how to do a better straining manouever : 6g, my vision does not go away, much better ! Then we start aerobatics : aileron roll demo, then it's my turn. Waow, it's fast, and I did not even use full stick deflection !! I feel a little sick so we skip the rest of the aerobatic, but anyway, fuel is getting low, so we head back home. 9h30, we have flown for 1 hour, and I can't wait to do it again !!
10h15 after doing all the postflight paperwork and the debriefing, I'm back to my cubicle in class 11A, were I spent a few hours to work on my academics. At 14h00, we go back to class for more "pitot-statics" class, and then a one hour presentation of the "misssion director" flight. 17h30, I'm back home. I take a few minutes to talk with my wife, then go back to work for a while. It's only the beginning of the year, so the woarkload is not too high, and I manage to get 2 hours of free time before it's time to go have some sleep.

Wednesday : I'm not flying today, so I take the opportunity to catch more sleep. The morning is dedicated to more studying : some academics, again, but mainly preparing the "mission director flight" with one of the pilots from my class. The flight will be our first graded flight : we will be demonstrated how to conduct of flight test from whithin the aircraft, and how to collect data during this flight. We will fly it on friday.
Two more hours of pitot-statics during the afternoon, then we go back to the schedulding office : our flight for friday is cancelled !

Thursady : Again, I wake up at 5h30, this time for a Cessna flight (FTE Airmanship). Again, briefing prep routine, briefing with the IP, then we go to south base were the aero-club is. Around 11h, I'm done. More studying, then academics, this time about the "tower fly-by" FTT : basically, the pilot comes down at 100ft above the surface of the lakebed in is aircraft, goes by the tower where the engineer register its geometric height and other parameters. We then compare with what the altimeter was saying in the cockpit, so that we can know by how much it is incorrect. The one thing we will all remeber after this class is "fly over the line".

Friday : I'm not flying, but at least that gives me more time to get through my pitot-static material and get ready for the exam. At 1400, we start the exam, and at 1500, no, we are not done for the week, we start another class about the data acquisition systems in the aircraft. Finally, at 1800, I can go back home and relax..... before everything starts again !

Week 4 - january 31 to february 6

This week was dedicated to "compressible aero" (understand : "supersonic") and more checkflights or fam rides. As far as acaedmics went, most of us where desperate after the exam : we had to be supersonic to finish it in the given time. Kudos to the few that made it, I'm impressed guys (and I'm an aero major) !!!
Friday was a "first friday", a good occasion to socialize with the seniors (the 10B class) who are otherwise pretty busy.
We also had a very nice superbowl party on sunday. Thanks again to Amber and Nick for that, that was great !

Next week, we move (already) to "PF700", which is "performance standardization" with the well known "pitot-static" class. We will also learn more about the "mission director" flight and other test related classes. More on that next week !

(P.S : I realize that I may not be always very clear, so do not hesitate to ask questions !)

Week 3 - january 24 to 30

So we finally got introduced to aerodynamics. The course was scaring to some of the electrical engineers, but everyone made it !
We got to do more Cessna flights (but not too much due to some mechanical problems on the aircrafts), and some of the pilots did their first solo flights.
We also got some insight of what the "performance phase" will be like (basically, the next 3 month), but arre still waiting to do our first "flight test techniques"

Next week, we will move to "compressible aerodynamics" and some of the engineers may do their first familiarisation ride in the C12, prelude to the "mission director" flight.

Week 2 - january 17 to 23

Second week of study, and we finally got to some concrete action. We got the "intro to statistic" course, and some of us were relieved when we finally got to the end of it. Although we still had to do the "at home exam", and I believe it took some hours out of most people's week-end !
But we also got to fly ! Engineers went to south base to fly the Cessna C172 and the pilots begun their flights in their datagroup aircraft (F16, C12 or T38).
Alas, the availability of the C172 was much lower than expected and some of the engineer will have to wait until next week to do their first flight.

Next week, we will begin the performance phase, which will last for about 3 to 4 months, with "intro to aero" academics, and more flying.

Week 1 - january 11 to 18

That was the second week at TPS, but the first did not count, so there we where, all students with theirs spouses to the "orientation day". We all learned some thing or another, and our spouses got to see what our first week had been like : briefing, break, briefings, and more briefings, .... We had a nice lunch all together and we students headed back to the auditorium for 4 more hours of briefings. Yummy !!!
The reminder of the week gave us some ground school on the different aircraft we will fly in the next months (the T38, C12 and F16), and, not to be forgotten, intro to Matlab !

C12

F16

T38

 

Matlab will be a major software for us to use during the year, and fortunately, some us actually know how to use it !
Then we had a three days week-end, ending monday with a nice BBQ at Bullpup's house. Thanks again for that, Chris !

Next week, we will start flying(C172 for the engineers and T38 and F16 or C12 for the pilots), and we will have "Boomer" telling us everything about statistics

 

Cessna C172

Week 0 - january 3 to 10

First of all, let me introduce you class 11A : 11 pilots, 12 engineers, including one from Canada and one from France, and one WSO (weapon and system operator). We will spend 48 weeks here at Edwards Air Force Base, California, studying hard, flying a lot, to become Flight Test Engineer and Experimental Test Pilots.
This first week at TPS is not really part of the curriculum (which is why it is called "Week 0").
We had to go through a good number of briefs : safety briefs, welcome brief, buddy care brief, equal opportunity brief, ...some were interesting, other were funny, and some... mandatory.
A few pics from the survival training

Survival briefs were the most fun. We got to learn how to pick edible fish species from the sea. I just wonder what kind of fishes survives the desert climate we have here ? (true enough, the lakebeds are, so far, just lakes, and rather big ones). But we may deal with this kind of environnement when we go to our filed trips in a few months.

The week ended with a few social events :  Thirsty Thrusday, at Jeremy and Renee's was a good chance to improve our G tolerance...hem, no, I meant our alcool tolerance !
First friday got eveyone together : class 10B, our senior class,some of the instructors, Colonel Zamot (TPS' commander) and his wife, and of course 11A, complete with spouses and kids ! The night was starting well !!!
Later in the evening, we let our spouses take care of the child and went to colonel Zamot's house for our first roof stomp ! We were warmly invited to come in and JT soon found the fridge !

We all had a geat time.

Saturday morning was the road rally, organized by the 10B class. After 2hours racing across the base to find all the ceckpoint, we found out that we were decent navigators, with a good help from the GPS to be honest. We then shared a lunch made for us by 10B spouses. Thank you, that was delicious !!!

After all these events, sunday was dedicated to family time, before going back to business.

Coming on next week : more briefs, C12, F16 and T38 ground shool, egress training, ....