21.A.35 Flight Tests

Detailed material on flight testing is included in the applicable CS and GM.

1.OBJECTIVE The objective of this testing is to expose the aircraft to the variety of uses, including training, that are likely to occur when in routine service to provide an assurance that it performs its intended functions to the standard required for certification and should continue to do so in service.

2.CONTENT OF FUNCTION AND RELIABILITY TESTING The testing should cover both routine operations and some simulation of abnormal conditions. The details of the programme should be agreed with the Agency prior to commencement of testing. It may be possible to combine this testing with any required to demonstrate compliance with the applicable CS. This will be agreed on a case-by-case basis with the Agency. Where possible, testing conditions should be defined with the co-operation of an operator. A substantial proportion of the flying should be on a single aircraft. The flying should be carried out to a continuous schedule on an aircraft that is very close to the final type design, operated as though it were in service and should include a range of representative ambient operating conditions and airfields.

All flying carried out with engines and associated systems not significantly different from the final type-certificate standard may count towards the 300 hours airframe flight time required by 21.A.35(f)(1). At least 150 of the 300 flying hours should be conducted on a dedicated production configured aircraft. The requirement for 300 hours relevant flight time whenever a new turbine engine is incorporated applies regardless of whether the airframe/engine combination is subject to a new type-certificate or is to be certificated as a change or supplement to an existing type-certificate.

All flying carried out on an aircraft not significantly different from the final type design may count towards the 150 hours airframe flight time required by 21.A.35(f)(2).