Flight Test

The Flight Test Division is headed by the Chief of  Flight Test who reports directly to the Director of National Aircraft Certification.  The Division is staffed by Engineering Test Pilots and Flight Test Engineers who typically work in Test Pilot/Flight Test Engineer two person teams.

The primary function of the Division is to work with manufacturers to conduct, monitor and review flight tests of Canadian and foreign manufactured aircraft for which Canadian type certification is requested.  (Note: we test aircraft not people.  Flight tests of pilots for licensing purposes is under the direction of  Personnel Licensing.)

Flight tests conducted by Division personnel include evaluations of aircraft performance, aircraft flight characteristics, engine operation, systems failures, system performance and avionics.  The degree of Flight Test Division participation in certification flight tests varies according to the project.  Extensive flight tests are carried out on new Canadian manufactured aircraft types while foreign manufactured aircraft are subjected to a program of abbreviated flight tests which is tailored to the aircraft type.  The level of flight tests conducted to evaluate modifications is dependent on the extent and effect of the modification.

Division personnel are responsible for agreeing with the manufacturer the methods to be used to analyse the flight test results for ensuring that the end result demonstrates compliance with regulatory standards.

The Division also has primary responsibility for the approval of Aircraft and Helicopter Flight Manuals and Master Minimum Equipment Lists.

In between certification projects, the Division is heavily involved in both internal and international efforts to improve the regulatory standards  and methods used to conduct and analyse flight tests.

For further information contact Dick Walker at 613-952-4315