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1 The Experimental Approach in Aerodynamic Design
1.8.3 Benefits of Simulated Altitude Tests in Addition
to Ground
There are several advantages to carrying out simulated altitude tests rather than
in-flight tests:
– cost reduction,
– risk mitigation,
– control of the altitude and atmospheric conditions, especially for icing tests (inflight tests are dependent of the weather),
– repeatability of test conditions,
– larger number of measurements (around 1000),
– ability to reproduce the conditions under which a failure took place.
In addition to simulated altitude tests, ground testing is also performed at DGA
Aero-engine Testing.
Simulated altitude test cells can simulate altitudes of 0 m and even down to −
610 m, to represent some terrestrial areas which are situated below sea level. This
allows the test cells to perform ground and altitude tests on the same test-bed, to
optimise tests (one test bench instead of two) and avoid repeatability issues arising
from the use of different setups.
The DGA Aero-engine Testing branch ground test-beds are listed below.
– The T 0 test bed which can perform engine ageing tests.
– The PAG is a wind tunnel for icing tests on probes and small equipment (see
Fig. 1.19); it can perform tests more cost effectively than a simulated altitude test
cell used at ground conditions.
– The GIV test bench can carry out icing tests on fuel systems.
– The K9 test bench is used to test combustion chambers.
1 The Experimental Approach in Aerodynamic Design
1.8.3 Benefits of Simulated Altitude Tests in Addition
to Ground
There are several advantages to carrying out simulated altitude tests rather than
in-flight tests:
– cost reduction,
– risk mitigation,
– control of the altitude and atmospheric conditions, especially for icing tests (inflight tests are dependent of the weather),
– repeatability of test conditions,
– larger number of measurements (around 1000),
– ability to reproduce the conditions under which a failure took place.
In addition to simulated altitude tests, ground testing is also performed at DGA
Aero-engine Testing.
Simulated altitude test cells can simulate altitudes of 0 m and even down to −
610 m, to represent some terrestrial areas which are situated below sea level. This
allows the test cells to perform ground and altitude tests on the same test-bed, to
optimise tests (one test bench instead of two) and avoid repeatability issues arising
from the use of different setups.
The DGA Aero-engine Testing branch ground test-beds are listed below.
– The T 0 test bed which can perform engine ageing tests.
– The PAG is a wind tunnel for icing tests on probes and small equipment (see
Fig. 1.19); it can perform tests more cost effectively than a simulated altitude test
cell used at ground conditions.
– The GIV test bench can carry out icing tests on fuel systems.
– The K9 test bench is used to test combustion chambers.