Draker
Well Known Member
Pretty much the only test I did not perform during my Phase I testing was to verify/measure takeoff and landing performance numbers. I'd like to finally correct this. Looking for any techniques/hints from others who have taken a complete, thorough look at their airplane's takeoff and landing distance performance.
The EAA flight test manual describes their method of measuring takeoff and landing distances, but it involves having some poor soul running around on airport grounds with wooden stakes and tape measures--ugh, has anyone come up with a better way?
Also about proficiency: I can definitely hit a landing point within the practical test standard of 400 feet and 1.3 VSO, +10/-5 knots, but in order to collect usable, repeatable data, I'd need to be much more precise. Not sure I can. Worth it to hire a test pilot who can be more consistent and precise?
Additionally, if you do manage to get good, repeatable data, it's only good for that one runway's slope, with that day's wind and density altitude. I suppose you could use some formulas to generalize test findings into general plots like you'd find in a certified aircraft's manuals. I enjoyed Ed Kolano's 2000-2002 series of Sport Aviation articles about flight testing, particularly the ones where he crunches the numbers afterwards to extrapolate the airplane's performance under conditions not tested. Unfortunately I don't think he wrote anything about crunching takeoff and landing performance numbers, which is too bad.
Am I overthinking this again? What did you guys do?
The EAA flight test manual describes their method of measuring takeoff and landing distances, but it involves having some poor soul running around on airport grounds with wooden stakes and tape measures--ugh, has anyone come up with a better way?
Also about proficiency: I can definitely hit a landing point within the practical test standard of 400 feet and 1.3 VSO, +10/-5 knots, but in order to collect usable, repeatable data, I'd need to be much more precise. Not sure I can. Worth it to hire a test pilot who can be more consistent and precise?
Additionally, if you do manage to get good, repeatable data, it's only good for that one runway's slope, with that day's wind and density altitude. I suppose you could use some formulas to generalize test findings into general plots like you'd find in a certified aircraft's manuals. I enjoyed Ed Kolano's 2000-2002 series of Sport Aviation articles about flight testing, particularly the ones where he crunches the numbers afterwards to extrapolate the airplane's performance under conditions not tested. Unfortunately I don't think he wrote anything about crunching takeoff and landing performance numbers, which is too bad.
Am I overthinking this again? What did you guys do?