Flight Test Definitions

• Airspeed: The speed of the airplane relative to the air. Expressed in several ways indicated airspeed, calibrated airspeed, equivalent airspeed, and true airspeed. It is measured with an airspeed indicator.


• Extended Operation Performance Standards (ETOPS) : is a conservative, evolutionary program that allows the operators of approved jetliners to fly air routes that, at some point, take the airplane beyond the standard allowable flying time of an alternate airport. Under ETOPS twin-engine commercial airplanes are permitted to fly routes that take them beyond 60 minutes of an alternate airport and allows three- and four-engine passenger jetliners to fly air routes that take them beyond 180 minutes of an alternate airport.


• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): Responsible for the safety of civil aviation in the United States. The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 created the agency under the name Federal Aviation Agency. The present name was adopted in 1967 when the FAA became a part of the Department of Transportation.


• Nacelle: The cowling surrounding the engine.


• Stall Test: In-flight testing wherein the Angle of Attack is raised to the point that the wings are no longer producing lift to understand the aerodynamic characteristics.


• Tailstrike: An extreme takeoff condition in which the tail strikes the surface of the runway.


• Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) : A document that starts the formal FAA flight test certification program.