RAPID-PACED T-45 PHYSIOLOGICAL EVENT FLIGHT TESTING

摘要

The United States Chief of Naval Air Training Command (CNATRA) instituted an operational pause to all student training flights on the Navy's advanced jet trainer, the T-45C, due to increased incidents of unexplained physiological events (PEs). These events significantly impacted the training of future Naval Aviators and gained the immediate attention of leaders in the U.S. Navy and government. Navy flight test engineers were tasked with evaluating potential solutions and risk mitigations to resume training aviators. The pressure to return to flight as soon as safely possible produced a fast-paced environment and rapidly changing requirements. This climate mandated the team to plan, execute, and report testing on truncated schedules, while rebuilding the aviators' confidence in the aircraft. The test team was empowered with flexible test plans and the ability to influence the design and scope of PE solutions. Successful test efforts allowed CNATRA to resume training after a three-month hiatus and significantly reduced incidents of unexplained PEs.