On October 28th,2022, the Test Flight Center of Liaoning General Aviation Academy (LGAA) underwent a dynamic stability verification flight test of the four-seater electric aircraft RX4E at Caihu airport in Faku of Liaoning Province. Yin Chong, deputy director of the Flight Performance Office of Shenyang Aircraft Airworthiness Certification Center of Civil Aviation Administration of China (SYAACC), was the test censor and witnessed the whole implementation process.
To ensure successful test flight of the four-seater electric aircraft RX4E and eliminate the meteorological influence, the flight began at seven o’clock in the morning. At that moment, the airflow was stable and the wind was static, which was the best meteorological condition for the test flight.
At 6:10, the censor and the test crew members arrived at Caihu airport in Faku, preparing for the aircraft, recording equipment, flight plan for approval and confirmation, flight site’s inspection and confirmation, etc., according to the test flight’s preparation plan. Afterwards, the crew members and the censor had a preparation meeting before test flight and mainly discussed the implementation process of the dynamic stability test flight maneuver, matters needing attention and the final goal that needs to be achieved.
Discussion about Operational Essentials at the Preparation Meeting before Flight
At 6:45, the crew members checked the test flight information and other essentials, and then carried out walk-around inspection, and finally confirmed the aircraft status. At 7 o’clock, the test pilot sent out “starting” request and received permission from the control tower. The pilot flew the RX4E to conduct the dynamic stability test flight according to the plan. Fouty-five minutes later, RX4E successfully completed dynamic stability test flight and landed smoothly on the runway.
After the aircraft’s engine was turned off, the crew members and the censor made comments on this flight together. Firstly, the test pilot described execution of the test, and then the analysist made an analysis of the flying data. Based on the description of the pilot and the problems revealed from the data, the deputy director Yin Chong gave clear and directional advice. Besides, he also offered precious suggestions and opinions to the implementation process of test from the view of inspection.
Review after Flight
The aircraft RX4E is the first model based on the CCAR-23 certification by LGAA and this test is the first verification flight test also based on the CCAR-23 certification. After witnessing the test, the censor, starting from his own inspection experience, conducted effective communication with the crew members, provided detailed explanation and guidance of the test flight’s organizational process, and exemplified how to eliminate the risks to ensure the safety of the test flight.
Picture after Test Flight
Edited by Yang Jian
Formatted by Feng Xia
First Reviewed and Proofread by Wang Mingyang
Further Reviewed and Proofread by Feng Xia
Finally Reviewed and Proofread by Wang Han