Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 July 2016
The need for the testing of aircraft is of course very obvious. New types of aircraft must be flight tested to check the performance predictions, define operational flight envelopes, or set safe-life limits for various components etc. Other flight tests are directed towards the investigation of particular problems, but much of this type of study is best done by model tests; especially when information is required in those areas where theories are known to be poor or even non-existent.