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First flight readiness review

In order to start a flight test program after a significant modification to an aircraft, our customer must require an exemption of article 4 of the Netherlands' airspace law. Before this request can be made, there is a need to establish the following, i.e. the essential first flight pre-requisites:
  • Has the design process developed in a stable manner and has it progressed sufficiently far?
  • Has the aircraft building process evolved in a stable manner and has it progressed sufficiently far?
  • Which first flight limitations need to be imposed?
  • Is a first flight test program available and can it be approved?
A Review Board procedure has been in use to determine whether the program has met the conditions listed above. This board consists of independent (not directly involved) experts from GAC, Fokker Services and USE2ACES. The Chief Engineer of Fokker Services chairs the board. Apart from the assessment of the readiness for the first flight the board also reviews the safety aspects of the proposed test program. Moreover the board formally approves the limitations for the shake down flight. The FAA and CAA-NL co-operated in this program and endorsed our role as external experts.
 
 
The modified Gulfstream G-5
 
The modified Gulfstream G-5.