Florida Institute of Technology
Airplane Performance Flight Testing
Flight Test Engineering (FTE) 5701
____________________________________________________
Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six Aircraft Performance Flight
Au
...
Florida Institute of Technology
Airplane Performance Flight Testing
Flight Test Engineering (FTE) 5701
____________________________________________________
Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six Aircraft Performance Flight
Author: Ashley Bayard
Crew Members:
Isaac Silver (test pilot)
Ashley Bayard (FTE)
Joseph Brown (FTE)
July 10, 2020
Flight: June 30, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTSAbstract________________________________________________________________I
Introduction____________________________________________________________2
Data Analysis__________________________________________________________2
Test Item Description___________________________________________________2
Flight Test Location____________________________________________________2
Flight Test Procedure___________________________________________________3
Data Reduction________________________________________________________7
Airspeed Familiarization________________________________________________7
Airspeed Calibration___________________________________________________7
Level Flight Performance________________________________________________8
Level Acceleration____________________________________________________10
Climb/Descent Performance____________________________________________13
Turn Performance_____________________________________________________15
Flight Analysis________________________________________________________16
Airspeed Calibration__________________________________________________16
Level Flight Performance_______________________________________________20
Level Acceleration____________________________________________________22
Climb/Descent Performance____________________________________________31
Turn Performance_____________________________________________________38
Conclusion____________________________________________________________40
References_____________________________________________________________42
Appendix A____________________________________________________________43
Appendix B____________________________________________________________49
Appendix C____________________________________________________________54
Appendix D____________________________________________________________69
Appendix E____________________________________________________________78I
Abstract
The objective of Flight Test Engineering (FTE) 5701 was to collect, reduce, and present
data pertaining to aircraft performance flight testing. This data includes airspeed calibration
(using GPS), level-flight performance, level acceleration, climb/descent performance, and turn
performance. All aircraft performance flight testing was performed on the 6-seat, 2-door Piper
PA-32-260 Cherokee Six aircraft.
Testing was performed in accordance with the FTE 5701 Lab Manual instructed by Dr.
Brian A. Kish from the Florida Institute of Technology. The aircraft performance flight testing
was conducted out of Destin Executive Airport (KDTS) located in Destin, FL. One flight was
performed with a crew of three: one test pilot and two FTE students. Both FTE students
recorded numerous parameters during the flight test maneuvers and supplied one collective
data set to the Maryland FTE students for reduction and analysis.
Overall, the results for the data assembled in this report had tendencies that trend with
the Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six specifications. When comparing, the most probable cause
of errors is from FTE judgment while recording the flight test parameters and processing the
post flight data. To build a better understanding of the aircrafts performance it is recommended
to repeat the questionable data points.2
1.0 Introduction
The objective of this flight test program was to assess the performance of the Piper PA-
32-260 Cherokee Six aircraft. Airspeed calibration (using GPS), level-flight performance, level
acceleration, climb/descent performance, and turn performance were assessed during flight.
1.1 Test Article Description
The Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six (Tail No. N3736W) is a single engine, propeller
driven, fixed wing/landing gear aircraft. This 6-seat, 2-door aircraft requires passengers and
crew, on the right side, to step on the wing to access the cockpit and cabin. On the left side, the
aft door provides direct access to the cabin. The Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six used in this
flight test is pictured below in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six (Tail No. N3736W) (Warye, 2020)
1.2 Test Location
Flight testing was conducted out of Destin Executive Airport (KDTS) located in Destin,
FL. Maneuvers were conducted offshore over the Gulf of Mexico in VFR conditions. Testing
was conducted between 0700L-1000L (1200Z-1500Z). See Figure 2 for the flight path of the
Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six (Tail No. N3736W) during the flight test.3
Figure 2: Flight Path of the Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six (FlightAware, 2020)
1.3 Flight Test Procedure
Prior to the flight, both flight test engineers prepared a weight and balance sheet (Figure
3) and calculated the center of gravity (CG). One flight was performed with a crew of three: one
test pilot and two FTE students. The test pilot and one FTE student were seated in the front row
while the other FTE was seated in the center row. Based on the calculations performed in Figure
3, Figure 4 shows that the Piper Cherokee Six is within the envelope to safely fly with the crew
of three.4
Figure 3: Weight and Balance Sheet
Figure 4: Piper Cherokee Six (Tail No. N3736W) Flight Envelope
Table 1 provides a summary of the flight labs and when they were conducted. Table 2
provides a summary of all parameters that were recorded during the flight test along with which
FTE was responsible for recording each parameter
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