Commercial Flight Tests Improved by New Equipment and Methods 330003
THE purpose of this paper is to show that the value of commercial flight-testing depends largely upon the utility, reliability and accuracy of the equipment and instruments employed. In general, it is found that improvements in these three factors depend largely on the simplicity of the apparatus used.
Special engine-tests have led to the development of instruments and apparatus not commonly available commercially, and the use of these has made it possible to employ the aircraft engine as an instrument for the measurement of power in flight. This ability to measure power has led to the development of a method of making comparative engine-temperature and other tests which eliminates or corrects for a number of the major variables ordinarily affecting such tests.
Because of the increasing popularity of the controllable-angle propeller, tests are also described which enable one to determine the value of such a propeller when only an adjustable-angle propeller is available.
