Full-Scale Aircraft Structural Testing at IAR: Tiger Moths to Hornets and Beyond

摘要

The development of full-scale aircraft testing at the Institute for Aerospace Research (IAR) over the past fifty years is reviewed by examining some of the tests in terms of the test objectives, methodologies and testing techniques and equipment. Particular attention is given to tests that marked a significant change in methodology and it is apparent that IAR has always been at the forefront of new developments. It is shown that all aspects of the tests have become more Complex over the years. The number of load conditions Applied to the test has increased, the required fidelity of Loading is higher, the demand for data has increased and the Testing equipment itself is far more complex. Some of the Ways these issues have been treated at IAR are described.