Wind Tunnel Test Management Approach
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Phase 1: Test / Project Definition
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Define & Document Top-Level Objectives, Goals, & Requirements
- Test Conditions & Environment (Mach#, Re#, Flow Uniformity, ..)
- Test Article Sizing & Fidelity (Scale, Tolerances, Surface Finish, ..)
- Data / Instrumentation (Force, Pressure, Flow Visualization, ..)
- Accuracy & Repeatability Requirements (Filter, Sample Rates,..)
- Budget / Cost
- Schedule / Project Timeline
- Personnel / Staffing
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Communication of Requirements, Early Involvement of Test Team
- Project Meetings
- Project Reports
- Presentations
- Status Updates
- Interactions, Phone Calls, E-mails,
Phase 2: Test / Project Planning & Preparation
Develop Detailed Project / Test Plan
- Transition Program Requirements Into Test Requirements
- Define Test Team & Responsibilities
- Prioritize Objectives (Primary, Secondary, ..)
- Coordinate Project Schedule & Budget with Test Team
- Verify Test Facility, Vendor, and Supplier Contracts
- Risk Evaluation & Mitigation; Manage “Requirements Creep”
- Finalize Instrumentation Selection, Identification, Set-up Sheets
- Define DAQ and Reduction Methods (Equations, Corrections, ..)
- Define Test Procedures & Optimize Test Sequence
- Perform Hardware Checks (Fitment, Measurement, Structural, ..)
- Write Project / Test Plan Report
- Prepare and Maintain To-Do List
- Communication (Meetings, Tele-cons, Status Reports, ..)
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Define Test Article, Detailed Design & Fabrication
- Finalize Conceptual Design, Perform Detailed Design
- Vendor Selection Process (SOW, Proposal Review, Contracts, ..)
- Part Identification Scheme
- Instrumentation Positioning, Routing, & Identification
- Part Alignment & Positioning Scheme
- Define Installation Procedures
- Document Test Article Geometries (Installation, Data Reduction, ..)
- Stress Analysis & Report
- Configuration & Part Drawings
- Inspection Requirements & Acceptance Criteria
- Perform Pre Delivery Check-Out / Buy-Off (in person)
- Shipping & Packaging Requirements
- Communication (Meetings, Tele-cons, Status Reports, ..)
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Perform Pre-Test Build-Up and Preparation Prior to Test
- Hold Pre-Test Meeting
- Coordinate and Direct Test Activities
- Organize and Prepare Test Hardware / Instrumentation
- Document Activities (Photos, Project Log, ..)
- Instrumentation Installation, Routing, Calibration
- Perform Leak & Continuity Checks (Pressures)
- Perform Check Loads (Metric/Strain Gauged Parts)
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Phase 3: Test / Project Execution
Execute Test Program
- Coordinate and Direct Test Activities
- Document Test Activities in a Daily Test Log
- Maintain Run Schedule / Matrix / As-Run Log
- Direct & Assist Configuration Changes
- Document & Photograph Configuration Changes
- Monitor & Validate Instrumentation Measurements
- Track Test Completion Progress, Efficiency, and Performance
- Communication of Current Test Status
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Phase 4: Test / Project Close Out
Post Project / Test
- Hold Post Test / Project Meeting
- Verify Project Objectives Were Met
- Document Lessons Learned
- Compile Test / Project Addendum (Notebook & Electronic)
- Update Drawings & Documents to Reflect Changes
- Write Post Project / Test Report
- Inventory & Pack Hardware / Instrumentation for Storage / Shipping
- Inventory & Pack Test Article for Storage / Shipping
Wind Tunnel Facility Experience (has tested at):
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Swift Engineering 8ft x 9ft Low Speed Rolling Road Wind Tunnel -- Decommissioned
Boeing 20 x 20 Low Speed V/STOL Wind Tunnel (BVWT)
Boeing 4ft x 4 ft Polysonic Wind Tunnel (PSWT)
NASA Glenn 9ft x 6ft Icing Research Tunnel (IRT)
NASA Langley 16ft Transonic Wind Tunnel-- Decommissioned
NASA Ames 11ft x 11ft Transonic Wind Tunnel (UPWT)
NASA Glenn 8ft x 6ft Supersonic Wind Tunnel
Arnolds 16ft x 16ft Transonic Propulsion Wind Tunnel (16T)
National Research Council Canada 2m x 3m Low Speed Wind Tunnel
Aircraft Research Association 8ft x 9ft Transonic Wind Tunnel (TWT)
R.J. Mitchell 8ft x 11ft Low Speed Rolling Road Wind Tunnel
Southampton 5ft x 7ft Low Speed Rolling Road Wind Tunnel