QinetiQ and our predecessor organisations have been conducting flight test for over 100 years. Historically focused on military aircraft, QinetiQ has been instrumental in the test and evaluation of almost all aircraft operated by the UK armed forces, ranging from ‘British Army Aeroplane No 1’ in 1908 to the F-35B Lightning today. In addition to military aircraft, we are now also conducting flight test of civil aircraft.
QinetiQ holds Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval to conduct all categories of flight test on fixed and rotary wing aircraft. We also have authority to issue Permits to Fly under our CAA Part 21 approval. Our team of highly experienced and qualified flight test professionals have conducted the full range of flight test at locations throughout the world, where we’ve delivered numerous full aircraft test programmes. Whether it’s defining flight envelopes or conducting a single flight to evaluate a new modification, safety, efficiency and rapid delivery are at the heart of everything we do.
QinetiQ has a modern fleet of instrumented aircraft available for customer development or test activities. We’re also happy to undertake test and evaluation activities on-board customer owned aircraft.
| External modifications | Flight testing to provide evidence to support certification and operation of aircraft with external modifications |
| Low visibility landing | Testing of systems and development of techniques to allow landing in low visibility conditions including due to cloud, dust or snow |
| Ship Air Integration | Development of techniques and operating limits for the landing of aircraft on ships |
| High altitude testing | Testing to define the limits and techniques for take-off, landing and low speed operations at high density altitude |
| Envelope definition | Flight test to define the flight envelope for new or modified rotary and fixed wing aircraft |
| Handling qualities | Assessment of handling qualities to support certification requirements and operating limits |
| Systems integration and development | Testing to support the integration and development of new and upgraded systems on helicopters and aeroplanes |
| Icing | Flight testing in artificial and natural icing to support certification |
| Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) | Flight and ground testing of new and modified aircraft to support NVIS certification |
| Instrument flying | Testing of systems and assessment of handling to support instrument flying certification |