Aircraft
The certification fleet
Part of the certification process of a new aircraft design is completing hundreds of tests to hit thousands of data points for both flight and ground tests

Part of the certification process of a new aircraft design is completing hundreds of tests to hit thousands of data points for both flight and ground tests. To reduce the time required to complete these tests, OEMs usually dedicate a fleet of aircraft for the certification testing.

“We will have five test aircraft by the completion of the certification program,” said Jim Dwyer, manager of flight test operations for Bombardier’s Learjet division and project test pilot for the company’s new Continental. Dwyer performed the maiden flight of the first Continental prototype on August 14. “Each of the five test aircraft will be configured the same, but each will have a different mission.”

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