Cranfield student becomes flight engineer for new plane debut at Cranfield Airport

Being part of the first flight of a new aircraft is exciting, but having the chance to play an instrumental role as a student is a unique opportunity. Well, Cranfield student, Arun Mony Damodaran recently found himself in just that situation.

Studying for an MSc in Aerospace Dynamics, Arun was able to be the flight test engineer for a first flight of a new aircraft from Cranfield Airport as part of his thesis project. That meant brief, debrief and post-flight analysis were all conducted as part of his studies which may well be the first time in the UK a student has had the chance to be such a pivotal part of a new aeroplane first flight.

The plane – designated G-JEMP – is a Bristell NG5 Speedwing built from a kit by Wayne Precious, founder of Azure Flight Training based at Cranfield Airport. Wayne had asked Guy Gratton, Associate Professor of Aviation and the Environment at Cranfield University and an exceptionally experienced test pilot, to guide G-JEMP through its first flight. But Guy had the idea to use the process as a way for an MSc student to run a thesis project focusing on flight testing the plane.

The project was in two phases. The first was the initial testing to ensure the basic safety of the aeroplane to the standard needed by the Light Aircraft Association to issue a Permit to Fly. The second was an investigation aeroplane’s potential to be operated under Instrument Flight Rules. Arun had the opportunity to be aboard the plane for the phase two test flights, acting as airborne Flight Test Observer. That was to investigate the ability of the aeroplane to be flown safely in cloud – which the type of plane is not currently approved to do – and then make recommendations as to how those approvals might be obtained in future.

Speaking about the experience, Arun said: “Coming from an aircraft design background, this project was a fantastic opportunity to gain knowledge and experience to start me on a career path into flight test engineering.

“My primary role as a flight test engineer was to plan the tests that are required by the Light Aircraft Association. With the flight test plan and schedule approved, I then created the flight test cards and briefings for each of the test flights, as well as helping the owner complete the required paperwork for the flight test permit.

“Since the aircraft doesn’t have specialised flight test equipment and live telemetry, it was a new challenge to plan the required tests and a different experience from the flight tests in Cranfield’s National Flying Laboratory Classroom.

“As a student, I can honestly say that this project helped me build experience in various areas. The challenges were exciting and the first flight of G-JEMP will be a lifelong memory for me.”

Guy Gratton said: “It has been a rewarding experience giving an MSc student the opportunity to act as Flight Test Engineer for the first flight of a new build aeroplane, working to real industry standards and documents, and taking the project from the academic realm into the uncompromising standards required of real flight testing. In achieving that, the support from Wayne Precious at Cranfield based Azure Flight Training – who built the aeroplane – and the airport services including ATC and the fire section have been absolutely invaluable.”