Date of Award

5-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Sciences

First Advisor

Brian A. Kish

Second Advisor

Ralph D. Kimberlin

Third Advisor

Isaac Silver

Fourth Advisor

David C. Fleming

Abstract

After taking FTE 5702 – Stability and Control class, taught by Dr.Kimberlin, I understood the concept of using an aircraft and then testing how it handles in the air. Almost all flight tests done on aircraft are done by the manufacturer. Some aircraft may have a lot of comprehensive information available, while others have little to no information. It can also be hard to find the specific data that a pilot or owner desires. These various tests allow a greater understanding of aircraft stability and performance available for analysis and relating. The aircraft I flew during FTE 5702 class was a Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six. This was a single-engine piston. I currently have an FAA Commercial Multi-Engine pilot license. Can these tests be done on a multi-engine piston aircraft and retrieve reliable data? This led to the interest in conducting stability and control testing on a piston multi-engine aircraft. This thesis presents similar methods and concepts done according to Dr.Kimberlin’s Flight Test of Fixed-Wing Aircraft procedures. Testing shall be conducted on a multi-engine piston aircraft. Testing is according to meet part 23 regulations. Completing these tests shall provide a better idea of the operational safety and limitations of a multi-engine aircraft, and which areas might need to be redefined in the Part 23 Regulations to enhance the safety of the General Aviation Industry and its Pilots.

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