CAA Flight Test Report
Jul 29, 2010 by Ian Homer. Posted to category: Engineering
Details from the Test Flight on 1st July
XH558 Flight Test
As part of the process to re-validate XH558’s Permit to Fly, she was put through a Flight Test, conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority on 1st July.
I thought that all our supporters would be interested to read the Conclusion to the Flight Test Report, recently received from the CAA by VTST.
Kind Regards,
Robert Pleming
Vulcan To The Sky Trust.
Flight Test Report FTR 13055R – 1st July 2010
Conclusion & Recommendations
Once again it is a credit to both Marshall Aerospace and the Vulcan to the Sky Trust that the aircraft achieved yet another milestone in being presented for flight at the end of June for a continued airworthiness assessment despite the many financial and engineering challenges that had punctuated the winter work schedule. Almost flawless in flight; the aircraft remained a delight to fly and there were no major technical defects despite some very extensive and deep maintenance. Indeed those issues that had been identified in the previous test had been fully eradicated and the issues identified by this flight are mostly known and on-going technical investigations that have little impact upon the aircraft in its role as a display aircraft.
The airworthiness of the aircraft has once again been proven following the winter maintenance period and there were no significant defects that would delay the approval of a Permit to Fly; consequently it was immediately recommended that the Permit be issued for the benefit of an early return to the display circuit.
There remain, however, on-going issues with the both the engines and airframe which will need careful management by both the VTTS Trust and MA in order to preserve the aircraft and satisfy the future engine and airframe continued airworthiness requirements. These are known and monitored by CAA and part of the maintenance directive managed at a maintenance level with design input from CAA DLS.
