Functional Check Flight Symposium Andre Tousignant C I

Functional Check Flight Symposium Andre Tousignant C. I. M. Director Air Safety Investigation Office (ASIO) Bombardier Aerospace Vancouver Feb 8, 2011

Bombardier Aerospace Discussion / Agenda 1. Bombardier Flight Operations 2. Scheduled Maintenance 3. Lease Return / Transfer of Ownership 4. Functional Check Flights Guidance 2

1 Bombardier Flight Operations Supports the following: § Production flights tests to validate the compliance of a new production aircraft to the type certificate § Experimental verses production flight tests § Specific training is required for both roles § Customer Acceptance Flights § Lease Return / Transfer of Ownership § “Specific” Functional Check Flights CS 300 aircraft 3

2 Scheduled Maintenance § Functional Check Flights should only be conducted as per the approved AMM Task § Dash-8: Only requirement is a trim check after an aileron replacement § CRJ: Only requirement is an optional ADG flight check (Task could be conducted on ground with a back drive unit) If Operator requires a Functional Check Flight post Maintenance, Bombardier Recommends a Normal Flight Profile 4

2 Scheduled Maintenance § Normal Flight Profile § A flight similar in nature to the customers operational flight profile § Consider Date sensitive parts § Consider Cycle sensitive parts CRJ 1000 Next. Gen aircraft 5

3 Lease Return / Transfer of Ownership § Guidance on procedures acceptable for aircraft transfer / return. § Review the contract / lease. § Meet with the owner or their representative to discuss their requirements § Agree prior to the flight, what are the conditions of an acceptable flight § Ensure flight is flown in accordance with the AFM 6

4 Functional Check Flight Guidance § Preparation § Conduct of Flight § Post-Flight Q 400 Next. Gen aircraft 7

Functional Check Flight - Preparation The Aircraft § Why is a Functional Check Flight Required? § What was the condition of the aircraft prior to maintenance? § What areas of the aircraft were maintenance tasks carried out? § Did maintenance have any issues carrying out the maintenance tasks? § What is the current condition of the Aircraft? § What Aircraft Documents are valid for the Flight? Conduct a Detailed Briefing with the Maintenance Team 8

Functional Check Flight - Preparation The Flight Profile § Do you need ground runs? CS 100 aircraft 9

Ground Runs Check for any Airport Restrictions 10

Functional Check Flight - Preparation The Flight Profile § Do you need ground runs? § Consider a “High Speed Taxi” § What is the Airport Crash Fire Response Level? (Departure and Alternate Airport) § Do you have two way comms with Maintenance during the flight? Talk to The Airport Authorities 11

Functional Check Flight - Preparation The Flight Profile § What airspace do you require? CRJ 700 Next. Gen aircraft 12

Airspace Talk to Air Traffic Control - Time the Flight With Available Areas 13

Airspace Discuss Lost Comm Procedures 14

Functional Check Flight - Preparation The Flight Profile § What environmental conditions do you require? CRJ 900 Next. Gen aircraft 15

Functional Check Flight - Preparation Environmental Factors to Consider: § § § § VMC IMC Precipitation Runway Condition Turbulence Day Night 16

Functional Check Flight - Preparation Airport Considerations: § Minimum Weather for Take-off § Minimum Weather for Alternate Airport Bombardier uses a sliding scale for 1 st Flights: CYMX Weather Minimums CYUL/CYZD Weather Minimums Ceiling (Feet) Vis SM 3500 3 3000 4 2500 5 2000 6 No icing conditions 17

Functional Check Flight - Preparation The Flight Crew § Based on Aircraft condition/requirements, ATC limitations – Create a Functional Check Flight Profile and Check Flight Card. § Determine who needs to be on board? § Review Crew Qualifications / Recency § Systems Review of all system to be checked § Review Emergency Procedures related to Maintenance Completed § Review crew actions in the event of a system failure – Establish flight abort criteria Crew Must Understand the Operation of the Systems Recommend a Crew with Strong Technical Background 18

Functional Check Flight – Conduct of Flight § Component Level Pre-Flight walk around § A FCF walk around is not a normal walk around. § Crew Must be looking for the proper indications when selecting systems on/off, changing flight modes, or configuring the aircraft § Flight should be flown as per the plan § Points of interest should be noted by: § FDR Event Marker - Pressed § Log: Time of Event, Aircraft Altitude, Airspeed, & Configuration § If crew was conducting a maneuver or configuration change, document crew actions at the time of event § If at anytime a system failure occurs, the continuation of the flight should be assessed as per the defined Pre-Flight Abort Criteria Accept No Unnecessary Risk 19

Functional Check Flight – Post Flight § Provide a detailed debrief to Maintenance § Download the FDR for Review § Flight is not finished until the paperwork complete Ensure Maintenance Team Clearly Understands Any New Flight Discrepancies 20

Summary § Functional Check Flights must never intentionally go outside AFM limitations § Functional Check Flights should only be flown if required by the AMM and as per the AMM § If a Functional Check Flight is Required, Fly a Normal Profile § Prepare a detailed plan for the Functional Check Flight § “Fly the Plan” § If in doubt, land! 21