Flight Test Instrumentation

Flight Test Instrumentation is provided by the Test Operations Computer Operations and Instrumentation Group.  This team of engineers and technicians are fully trained and qualified in installation of flight test instrumentation systems.  In addition to the long history of the A-7 program, flight test experience in design, fabrication and installation of flight instrumentation is based on a number of recently completed and on-going flight test instrumentation programs including:

• Canadair CL-601 Nacelle
• Northrop B-2
• Vought YA-7F Aircraft
• Boeing/McDonnell Douglas C-17A Horizontal and Vertical Stabilizers
• Boeing/McDonnell Douglas C-17A GTU and P-1 Nacelles
• Gulfstream V Wing

Test Operations flight test instrumentation experience covers all of the common types of flight test measurements utilized in the aerospace industry.  Sensors routinely installed include strain, force, pressure, displacement, acceleration, temperature, flow, voltage and current.  These installations typically include fabrication and installation of mounting brackets or fixtures, transducers, and routing of instrumentation wiring and hydraulic or pneumatic tubing.  Installation of the sensors and tie-in with the signal conditioning and data acquisition systems are provided as a turn-key process to the customer.  Transducer calibrations are conducted utilizing a broad range of calibration equipment.   Periodic recertification of all calibration equipment is traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Installation of these test and instrumentation systems includes the ability to modify structure for penetrations as required for wire/tubing routing or installation of certification test systems such as flutter exciters.  Additional fabrication capabilities include wire harness/cable marking, termination and test and tubing assembly mock up, fabrication and test for aluminum, stainless steel and titanium assemblies with MS, commercial, swaged or cryogenically installed fittings and adapters as required.

Test Operations personnel are also fully versed in the various instrumentation documentation procedures required for both military and commercial aircraft.  Laboratory personnel are capable of installing embedded instrumentation systems concurrent with manufacture of the aircraft and are equipped to install flight test instrumentation systems at off-site locations.

For more information please contact:

John Vaught
e-mail: john_vaught@voughtaircraft.com