Maintenance test flights

[enigma]

My carrier attempts to use experienced m/x test pilots, but sometimes will use reserve crews if the work was minor. For post heavy check flights, we try hard to utilize a select few who actually know the test flight profile and all of its nuances. We don't want to loose a DC9 because the reserve crew didn't properly understand the stall test sequence, but more importantly, line crews don't really know how to perform the true return to service systems checks and sometimes allow an aircraft to return to service when it really shouldn't.

regards,
enigma

 

[350DRIVER]

in the Dork Jet (328) a few select are the ones that do this. Most of the time a MX guy (usually director of mx is onboard as well)

CJ, Sabres, King Airs, etc, regular line pilots. A very extensive run-up is done on all mx flights prior to wheels up. Any uncertainty or concern by crew during this run-up then aircraft does not fly and it is up to chief pilot/asst. to make other arrangements to "test fly" it prior to returning it to service. 135/91 dept.

pretty good mx here.


3 5 0

 

[328dude]

We don't have anything like that at PSA. Crews fly mostly all the MX ferry flights if they agree with it. The FCF flights for heavy C checks airplanes are usally done by the crews as well, but they try to keep the same one's since they know the profile and all the paperwork.


A shout out goes to Great Plains for keeping everything smooth for my FCF flights (8) out of heavy C checks in Tulsa.