Technical Flights - The AIRBUS view FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 Flight Safety Foundation – Functional Check Flight Symposium Technical Flights - The AIRBUS view Presented by Captain Harry NELSON / Experimental Test Pilot Captain Jean-Michel ROY / Test Pilot

Why the concern with Technical Flights? FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 Why the concern with Technical Flights? Recent incidents and accidents We think we may be only seeing the tip of the iceberg Our experience with Customer Acceptance Flights Queries and questions from Customer Airlines

What we will cover today FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 What we will cover today A common sense view on Check flights Planning and preparation Execution 2. Crewing Composition Selection Training 3. Technical Flight Familiarisation Course Some thoughts on the way forward

1 Planning and Preparation FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 1 Planning and Preparation Some practical things to think about Aircraft Airfield ATC and Airspace Weather Checklists Check Schedules

1 Planning and Preparation – Check Schedules FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 1 Planning and Preparation – Check Schedules Options include a. A detailed check schedule for each type of check b. A master check schedule with deletes c. We offer an “In Service Aircraft Test Manual” (ISATM) Associate warnings and limits with check to be done Hard limits need clear DO NOT EXCEED warnings Avoid writing a check sequence over two pages Make them easy to handle. Not too big or detailed

1 Planning and Preparation – Check Schedules FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 1 Planning and Preparation – Check Schedules Production Aircraft Test Manual (PATM) Customer Acceptance Manual (CAM) In Service Aircraft Test Manual (ISATM )

1 Planning and Preparation – Check Schedules FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 1 Planning and Preparation – Check Schedules Production Aircraft Test Manual (PATM) Tests on new serial a/c after production The purpose of the PATM is to demonstrate that the aircraft: * conforms with the type and individual certificate to a Certificate of Airworthiness Standard * meets its specifications, * meets the standards of quality required for delivery Under EASA Airbus Production Organisation Approval (POA) , accepted as such by the FAA and most other authorities.

1 Planning and Preparation – Check Schedules FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 1 Planning and Preparation – Check Schedules Customer Acceptance Manual (CAM) The CAM is the compilation of check procedures agreed between Airbus and a Customer as part of the customer technical acceptance of a new aircraft. It is used to demonstrate technical compliance with a contract It covers both ground and flight checks but unlike the PATM it can be carried out in any order i.e. Flight before Ground Checks. It should not be used as an airworthiness demonstration There is no control over the weather Mixing the objective of the flight can create safety issue There is a mixed background crew

1 Planning and Preparation – Check Schedules FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 1 Planning and Preparation – Check Schedules In Service Aircraft Test Manual (ISATM) The ISATM is a manual containing the procedures for ground and flight tests to be performed by Airbus personnel on an in service aircraft (ex: after a working party or for an aircraft transfer between Airbus and another party) It must be performed in a specified order It is offered to Customers who request help, prior to a check flight, under letter of waiver as a PDF file, the intention being that they create their own check schedule from it, duly considering all the “local” issues.

1 Execution There are many elements to master in a check sortie. FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 1 Execution There are many elements to master in a check sortie. Briefing Pre take off Take-off Switching Communication Workload Different flight plans The day/night question Cabin systems More difficult check points

1 Execution – More difficult check points FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 1 Execution – More difficult check points Identify which check points carry more risk Pre flight, plan how to fly them and then stick to your plan Decide and brief “break off” points If things don’t look right they are probably wrong – so stop Take care with breaks in the sequence Don’t be tempted to “take a look” at certification test points

1 Execution – More difficult check points FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 1 Execution – More difficult check points ….. Remember the old ZEN wisdom of “Never test the depth of the water with both feet at the same time” Be failure minded and always consider your escape plan ….. Which also leads us nicely to the other Zen wisdom of “If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you”

Have a strict no passengers policy FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 2 Crewing - Composition A small technical crew group Leadership Crew composition: Technical Flight Engineer Cabin specialists Have a strict no passengers policy

2 Crewing – Selection Aircraft Theory Role Manage these paradoxes FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 2 Crewing – Selection KNOWLEDGE You can never have too much knowledge You should never stop learning You will never know it all Aircraft Theory Role SKILLS EXPERIENCE Observation Interpretation Analysis Communication “I’ve been here before ” “it doesn’t feel right” “a good nose” ‘a healthy fear” Better risk evaluation Better Prioritisation of task Less errors APTITUDE Use of ALL senses Approach Attitude Logical Creative Flexible Persistent Consistent Variable Asking Telling Learning Knowing Airmanship and Teamwork Take care 10 = 10 or 1¹º Motor skills Under confidence Right Over Confidence Manage these paradoxes To achieve the right balance INTEGRITY

FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 2 Selection – Summary Egotistical X Questionable integrity X Indecisive X Uninterested technically X Takes criticism badly X Avoids responsibility X Impatient X Inflexible X Risk prone X Loner X Good Communicator  Technically inquisitive  Determined to get answers  Good flying ability  Admits errors and learns  Takes responsibility  Patient  Makes balanced judgments “Defaults” towards Safety  Team player  Take time on people selection. It is the key to achieving real safety in the checking process. February 2011 FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium

FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 2 Crewing - Training If you have good test trained personnel, use them in the technical checking role 2. If you have experienced check or acceptance flight crew, review their real experience and currency in the task. Many are very good. If you have neither, then you should train people or obtain the services of trained people There are several short introductory courses available on the market, including the Airbus course called : “Technical Flight Familiarization (TFF) Course”

Purpose of the TFF course FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 Purpose of the TFF course Safety Quality Efficiency Provide crew members with information on Knowledge, Skills and Attitude to better contribute to : Technical flights (post maintenance, painting, etc.) Acceptance flights (deliveries) Familiarization course: Attestation not a Rating

TFF course: A bridge between Aviators FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 TFF course: A bridge between Aviators

TFF course: The instructors FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 TFF course: The instructors An experienced team: A Test Pilot, and A Flight Test Engineer Used to work/fly together Experienced: Development flight tests Production flight tests Customer flights

TFF course: The trainees FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 TFF course: The trainees Technical Flight Crew is a crew of 3: 2 Pilots Prerequisites: rated and current on Aircraft type with at least 6 month experience 1 Technical Flight Engineer (TFE) Prerequisites: A third pilot, or A Flight Engineer who has followed a familiarization course on the type, or A Maintenance Engineer who has successfully followed the applicable maintenance type rating course as per Part 147 or equivalent, or A Flight Operations Engineer who has followed a familiarization course on the type

TFF course: The Syllabus FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 TFF course: The Syllabus DAY 1 2 3 4 5 PHASE GROUND SCHOOL FFS FLIGHT Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

TFF course: Ground school FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 TFF course: Ground school DAY 1 2 3 4 5 PHASE GROUND SCHOOL FFS FLIGHT Generic modules Crew concept Weather ATC Technical Flight Order Pre-flight briefing Recording of in-flight results Post Flight Analysis

TFF course: Ground school FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 TFF course: Ground school DAY 1 2 3 4 5 PHASE GROUND SCHOOL FFS FLIGHT Aircraft specific modules (from ISATM) Ground checks Taxi checks In-flight checks: Flight controls AFS Systems (Pressurization....) High Speed Low Speed

TFF course: Ground school FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 TFF course: Ground school DAY 1 2 3 4 5 PHASE GROUND SCHOOL FFS FLIGHT Training Documentation: ISATM Course module hand-out

TFF course: FFS FFS is a great training device BUT: FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 TFF course: FFS DAY 1 2 3 4 5 PHASE GROUND SCHOOL FFS FLIGHT FFS is a great training device BUT: Limited to reproduce flight acceleration => Motion ON or OFF according to checks Some “maintenance” functions not simulated (AIDS..) FFS 1 (4h): Normal system operation Instructor pilot in RH seat (demo => practice) FFS 2 (4h): Some system malfunctions Both trainee pilot in pilot seat (PF then PNF)

TFF course: Flight 2 hours per pilot (*2) Instructor pilot in RH seat FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 TFF course: Flight DAY 1 2 3 4 5 PHASE GROUND SCHOOL FFS FLIGHT 2 hours per pilot (*2) Instructor pilot in RH seat Normal system operation Use of AIDS

FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 TFF course: Locations DAY 1 2 3 4 5 PHASE GROUND SCHOOL FFS FLIGHT At Airbus Training centers (Toulouse, Miami, Beijing, ...) At Customer Training center DAY 1 2 3 4 5 PHASE GROUND SCHOOL FFS FLIGHT On customer aircraft at customer base On Airbus development aircraft

TFF course: Experience & Customer feedback FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 TFF course: Experience & Customer feedback First course in Sept 09 on A320 6 airlines/27 crew members already trained In TLS and at customer base Very positive feedback (videos)

TFF course: Looking forward FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 TFF course: Looking forward Course available now on all Airbus FBW aircraft Delivered on a monthly basis typically 2 crews (of 3) per session

4 Possible ways to go forward FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 4 Possible ways to go forward Fully evaluate, discuss and recognize the issue Need for care with the solution i.e Pros & cons of regulation OPTIONS Do nothing (a no change decision) Publicize the issue across the industry Regulate - If so at what level?

4 Possible ways to go forward FSF Functional Check Flight Symposium February 2011 4 Possible ways to go forward Some things to be discussed Responsibilities of Authorities, Manufacturers, Airlines, and individual Qualified Checkers Qualification of Check flight courses and instructors Would any qualification be type specific or generic, or can the course have both generic and specific elements? If so, what will be the validity of each? Would any qualification be “tied” to an airline or location How many checkers to qualify per fleet size? Check flight currency – Guidance or rules Check crew composition (position and qualification) Liability