At the authors' laboratory, flight test data (vibration, acoustic noise, strain, temperature, etc.) are measured and analyzed on a current basis. The results of the analysis are used in the tailoring of laboratory simulation and testing programs, in the generation of an environmental loads data base, and in the evaluation of the dynamic and thermal behavior of the airborne stores. Data are measured for stores carried on fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. While using general purpose timeseries analysis packages in the analysis of measured flight data, a wide range of special analysis functions is required to perform different analysis jobs. In order to increase the efficiency of the analysis process, it was decided to build a computer program to address the specific needs of flight data analysis. The result of this effort is the "FlightDatAn" program, the use of which is described in this paper. The functions of the program are grouped into several categories. The first function is "DATA PREPARATION", which relates to transforming the different formats of data accumulation during the flight test to a standard analysis format. The next main function is "SETUP". With the prepared analysis SETUP, a high flexibility can be achieved in the analysis process. "Flexibility" refers to liberty in choice of the combinations of the flight exercises and measurement points to be analyzed, on the one hand, and in the choice of analysis functions to be applied, on the other hand. The "ANALYSIS" function implements time-series FFT-based analysis functions, or parametric models (ARMA) in the evaluation of the spectral content. Parametric models of the vibration are derived and can be stored for future use. Statistical properties of the measured data can also be evaluated with the analysis functions. Functions are also available to relate between vibration and flight conditions (grms vs. dynamic pressure, and grms vs. time). The "ANALYSIS" functions prepare data for the tailoring of laboratory vibration tests. This job is performed under the "SPEC'S Tool" function. Testing programs for equipment carried on fixed-wing aircraft can be prepared. The "ANALYSIS" results of any function can be stored for further use. A wide range of "DISPLAY" options permits flexible presentation of the analysis results. High efficiency and flexibility of the program is achieved through the high quality graphic user interface (GUI), which is based on the MATLAB 6.1 (GUI).
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