Early Flights Achievement with the Aermacchi M-346 Advanced Trainer

Paolo Chimetto & Rodolfo Carabelli

Aermacchi M-346 Flight Test
Aermacchi S.p.A. Via Paolo Foresio 1
21040 Venegono Superiore
(Varese) Italy
Telephone 0039 331 813 965
FAX 0039 331 813 042
chimetto.paolo@aermacchi.it

SUMMARY
The M-346 advanced trainer, designed and built by Aermacchi, has made its first flight on mid July 2004
and completed a first set of 54 flights in March 2005. The aircraft, on the leading edge of its class of flying
vehicles in terms of performance, technology applied and mission capability, has confirmed the soundness
of its design. As expected, the initial envelope explored has been found trouble-free, confirming the
satisfactory level of reliability of the modelling used for predictions. Next stage of development tests will
take the aircraft off the feathers bed of the initial envelope to identify the margins existing against the
flutter domain while developing the Flight Control System control laws to be implemented aiming at the
carefree handling as final target to achieve.

INTRODUCTION
The first leap of a demanding 800 flight, flight test program was taken on July 15th, 2004 when X615, the
first M-346 prototype, took off from the Venegono runway for its maiden flight with O. Cecconello,
Chimetto, P.; Carabelli, R. (2005) Early Flights Achievement with the Aermacchi M-346 Advanced Trainer. In Flight Test – Sharing
Knowledge and Experience (pp. 13-1 – 13-12). Meeting Proceedings RTO-MP-SCI-162, Paper 13. Neuilly-sur-Seine, France: RTO. Available
from: http://www.rto.nato.int/abstracts.asp.

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Aermacchi chief test pilot, at the controls. First flight testing consisted of a package of handling
assessment maneuvers up to an altitude of 20,000 feet were carried out. The maximum Angle of Attack
flown was 15 degrees, and landing occurred at a speed of 120 knots at touch down some 55 minutes later.
The aircraft has shown a sound design since its first flight. The absence of any problem allowed four
flights to be conducted in short sequence with three different pilots sitting alternatively in the front seat of
the aircraft. The experience gained and lessons learned since initial ground testing till late December 2004
when the first lay up for engines configuration upgrade has started is the result of thirty-three flights and
125 tests in total carried out during that period.

The M-346 is on top of a family of products designed and manufactured by Aermacchi S.p.A. Venegono
Superiore (Varese) Italy, and capable to satisfy the training needs of any modern Air Force. Other
products are:

• the SF-260EA primary trainer. The SF-260 is a fully aerobatic aircraft suitable for Screening and
Primary Training phases. Certified to FAA FAR-23, it is available with piston or turboprop
engines. lts excellent flight characteristics and low operating costs are testified by the presence
around the world of over 850 SF-260 of various models which have accumulated 1.5 million
flying hours.
• the M-311 basic trainer, offers to the student pilot a true jet environment and handling in a very
simple and economic aircraft. Derived from the S-211, already in service with a number of air
forces, meets the mission requirements of Basic Training. The M-311 new digital avionics has
been developed to meet more demanding operator requirements, thanks to the adoption of a HUD,
Hotas controls and MFDs based MMI. Furthermore, the M-311 has higher performance, enlarged
manoeuvre envelope and enhanced operational capabilities.

The M-311 & the SF260EA

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 Early Flights Achievement with the Aermacchi M-346 Advanced Trainer

The M-346 is a Lead In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) that allows student pilots to develop knowledge, skills, and
habits needed for effective familiarization with high performance advanced configuration combat aircraft.
It is a twin engine, tandem seat, and transonic aircraft with supersonic capability in slight dive. Two 2850
kg thrust Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofan engines power the aircraft, giving it high thrust to weight
ratio as well as potential for effective secondary role (air to air and air to ground combat missions). The
F124-GA-200 cold section configuration has a three-stage fan and a five-stage axial-centrifugal high-
pressure compressor. Engine control system is a redundant, fault tolerant automated system that provides
complete and stable automatic control at all power setting and during transients. Resistance to surge is
enhanced by a bleed valve by passing high-pressure compressor air to fan duct.

An advanced man-machine interface (HOTAS control, three colour LCD MFD), in-flight refuelling
capability, nine hard points to hang a variety of external stores will make the aircraft configuration even
more attractive when fitted with mission-tailored sensors.

The external configuration of the M-346 gives it transonic performance while a quadruple-redundant, self-
reconfiguring, and full-digital Flight Control System augments the aircraft stability and control to the level
requested for achievement of satisfactory manoeuvring and target aiming characteristics while protecting
against loss of control through the carefree handling implemented functions. On first prototype, for the
first flight test phase, a simplified control laws mode is implemented that allows safe flying in the low
subsonic flight envelope.

Air data are measured by four Integrated Multifunction Probes, and digitally interfaced to the FCS. Their
output is processed to generate consolidated inputs to cockpit displays and FCS Control Laws. Probes
location and functionality do require Air Data System optimization before it can be finally integrated.
Meanwhile, an Interim Air Data System, based on a Nose Pitot Boom is used on first prototype for
deriving parameters for Pilot Indications.

The figure beside shows some detail on how the M-346 structure is built. In grey are those components
where metal is used while coloured are composite-made parts on prototype X615.

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Early Flights Achievement with the Aermacchi M-346 Advanced Trainer

M-346 TEST AND EVALUATION APPROACH

It is common practice today to develop advanced air vehicle starting with a great deal of ground test
activities conducted on facilities specifically designed for equipment, subsystem and system performance
verification and functional integration.

The last step of integration (hardware and software) also starts on ground facilities to be continued and
completed on the aircraft as soon as the major components start feeding the final assembly line.

Additional information on the tests schedule met is given in the following figure. The best performance
was achieved in November while in October the visit made by the Italian government represented a big
success and a significant achievement of the program.

The Flight Test organization got truly involved in the test activities when the flight test instrumentation
(FTI) was switched on and ran for the first time. From then on, the Flight Test Engineers (FTE) assigned
to the program made practise, in view of first flight.

Training of FTE is the result of prolonged practise in two areas: data processing specification and analysis,
real time data interpretation. Next figure shows in schematic form the data acquisition and processing in
use at Aermacchi

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 Early Flights Achievement with the Aermacchi M-346 Advanced Trainer

Instrumented Aircraft
Test Area
• Controlled Air-space
• Cleared area
• Targets
• Trajectography
• Radio-comms and coordination of operations

Telemetry System
• Airborne Equipment
• Transponders
• Ground Station
• Encryption

Computing System
• TLM signal acquisition
• Decommutation
• Conversion into EU
• Feeding of Control Room Displays

Control Room
• Displays Menue
Archiving and Post • Test Conduct
Flight Processing • Radio contact (Hot mic)

Since the beginning of the M-346 program, flight test management put emphasis on test conduction and
planning with support of automated information distribution tools in order to save time and take advantage
of their integration for optimising test schedules.

A working group was appointed to specify the requirements and address software designers in the
development of a set of connected Data Bases, encompassing the following applications: configuration
change documentation, aircraft software configuration update and integration results, test requirement
documentation, test documentation, flight test cards and flight test analysis documentation.

All users of EXPEDATA get access to a summary of inputs stored, can easily navigate among the
information set by hypertext links, make sorting, export, and search of data, get access to reporting. Test
card as well as fix data for post flight processing, and pilot flight test report have their modules
automatically generated. Archiving of documentation like test cards completed, pilot report, quick look
output (time histories), and flight test summary report is finally carried out.

A final concept to highlight in the introduction to the M-346 Program is the policy of risk mitigation
extensively applied in the design phase wherever possible.

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Early Flights Achievement with the Aermacchi M-346 Advanced Trainer

Its application was made easier by the number of simulation models set up in advance of flying the
airplane. The most critical systems were backed up by simplified configurations operated within a reduced
but safer flight envelope. That applies in particular to the Flight Control System, the Interim Air Data
System and the Engine Control System.

The step-by-step approach was a winning choice. It was implemented as a sequence of complementary
activities that could be carried out as a single block.

Last but not least an integrated team of design and test engineers was created to climb all the steps.

GROUND TESTING
A considerable effort was produced to make the aircraft flying at the planned date despite of the number of
tests to conduct on ground.

These consisted of functional tests on aircraft as soon as each system and/or subsystem was assembled and
integrated on the aircraft (Stage B tests). A significant milestone met was of course the first engine run
which paved the way to the Stage C tests i.e. final systems integration, and to the engineering tests for
issuing the first flight clearance. About 80 ground tests were carried out including E.M.C./H.I.R.F.
Structural Coupling and Ground Vibration tests.

The percentage of tests conducted on ground is larger than ever, the 66% in the above figure being
relevant to those on aircraft only.

Rigs and Flight Simulator tests are not here considered, though representing a large portion of expenditure
for they help the integration process heavily.

In summary ground tests do represent the meaningful portion of the effort produced in the experimental
area. Their complexity required a heavy toll to pay to build and set up facilities but they contributed to
save flight hours and mitigate risk as reward.

The last step done before first flight were taxi runs to assess brake and steering systems and more in
general the ground handling of the aircraft.

The following picture presents the 2004 test activity performed on first prototype, divided according type
of testing.

Flight
27% Contingency
3%

Low Speed Taxi Ground Test

7% 23%

H.I.R.F.
12%

E.M.C.
6% Engines Ground
Run
22%

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FLIGHT TESTING
In line with the risk mitigation policy constantly adhered in the M-346 program, the first flight was done
with a single pilot aboard and landing gear extended throughout. Manoeuvres consisted of blocks of
clinical control inputs to assess handling qualities. Wing configurations selected were with high lift
devices extended. A three-ship formation was flown, the M-346 being chased by two MB-339 on duty as
safety and photographic chase respectively. From 5th flight on, there was no chasing the interim air data
system being so reliable and accurate to satisfy the safety criteria of the Program. Furthermore, the flight
envelope was extended from 0.4 Mn/250 kts CAS to 0.65 Mn/325 kts CAS. The extended envelope was
large enough to make performance, handling qualities and engine-air intake integration tests sensible. Two
further steps are foreseen in the clean aircraft envelope expansion process, to 0.95 Mn/572 kts CAS the
former, to 1.2 Mn/500 kts CAS approximately the latter.

The manoeuvre characteristics have been investigated from –1 to 5 g without problems. A general loads
survey did not show any exceeding of limits while matching the model.

Dynamic loads on the horizontal tail were found within the scatter margin and tolerances used for flutter
margins calculation. No excitation system was installed with the consequence that evidence of peaks of
response was insufficient for a complete assessment. The horizontal tail response to buffet is according the
calculations. Its effectiveness is as predicted as shown by the pitch trim curves.

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Early Flights Achievement with the Aermacchi M-346 Advanced Trainer

An interim air data system is installed with boom-mounted probes to back up the IMFP- based production
system while tested for development and qualification. The interim system has been calibrated carrying
out a number of tower fly bys. The onboard FTI GPS output was used as reference to complete the job on
a ride along base. Position errors have been found compliant with military standard and system
specification.

Also Angle of Attack and Sideslip as well as pressure lag were checked and proved satisfactory. Data in
the above figure provide evidence of significant achievements in terms of maximum AoA (24°) and AoS
(10°)..

The directional stability was found good and the rudder control proved adequate to sustain crosswind as
required. Up to now a 20 kts component has been demonstrated at landing. A target of 30 kts is the aim to
be achieved on opportunity base.

The dynamic stability in landing configuration is generally well damped (Dutch roll) while the Spiral
mode is convergent or neutral. Lateral control is good the performance being in the order of 120 deg/sec.

Engines were subject to intensive assessment while configured with interim digital control system (ECU
BEC RIU, Electronic Control Unit Back-up Engine Control Remote Interface Unit, already tested on other

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aircraft), and with newly developed FADEC. Handling and performance were investigated to identify
surge margins and windmill characteristics. In this way a relight envelope has been cleared for initial
testing use (green area).

The engine handling characteristics proved quite satisfactory even at low speed/high AOA i.e. 92 kts/22°
when throttling forward to recover from incipient stall conditions

Fuel consumption during cruise at 25,000 feet and 30,000 feet was found as predicted or lower. During
climb little scatter between test and predictions have been found.

Airfield performance resulted as expected. Average TO run is less than 500 meters with a weight in the
order of 7000 kg.

At landing the ground run can be kept within 500 meters the touch down speed possible being as lower as
105 kts.

Phase II Engine Test Points

KCAS 100 150 200 250 300

40000 350

35000
400

30000

25000
Alt [ft]

20000

15000

10000

5000

0
0 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,8
Mach

Direct Link Envelope Relight Env Slow Accel/Decel Windmill

Steady State Transients Auto-Relight X-Bleed

An extensive test activity dedicated to the identification of aero derivatives is begun. The first step has
been dedicated to verify the consistency of flight test recorded signals.

TEST ACTIVITIES STATUS AND WAY-AHEAD

To date about 60 test flights have been carried out with prototype n.1, after the first flight of 15th July
2004.

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Early Flights Achievement with the Aermacchi M-346 Advanced Trainer

Envelope expansion was completed by the end of 2004, with the completion of more than 30 flights.
Engines dual FADEC control configuration was cleared at the end of February 2005, at flight n.45.

Next step is the first flight of prototype n.2, scheduled within May.

Two M-346 prototypes are planned thus to participate at Paris Air Show, in July this year, and to expand
the envelope with FCS phase II Control Laws.

Areas of investigation are now considered separately to pinpoint the approach followed while
investigating the relevant characteristics and how to continue in the near future.

• Aerodynamics investigation took advantage from the definition of a set of manoeuvres suitable to
identify stability and control characteristics before moving to the parameter identification (PID).
This approach helps selection of those areas of the envelope where simulation model does require
accuracy enhancement. Tests consisted of trim shots, slowdowns, wind up turns, and steady
heading sideslips, partial rolls for static and manoeuvre stability investigation. Dynamic stability
made use of stick jerks and yaw doublets.
• PID was first limited to practice of manoeuvring and to sensors output check of consistency.
Initial PID activities was beneficial to assess aerodynamic derivatives behaviour. Extensive
investigation by PID will be carried out for expanding the flight envelope beyond 0.65 M and in
the high AOA/AOS domain.
• Air Data System initial standard consists of a Pitot-boom and AOA, and AOS boom-mounted
probes. The production standard ADS is run in parallel but its outputs are not feeding any function
in the first test phase.

The complete functionality and the effects of relative position of the four integrated probes, two
on each side and skewed have also to be investigated in the enlarged flight envelope.

• Flight Control System development is approached with a step by step design and test process. The
first flight standard was important for risk mitigation during the initial flight envelope expansion,
but is not intended to be a production reversionary FCS standard. Next step of Control Laws, i.e.
Reversionary, will embody dynamic pressure-variable gains, three-axes stability and control
augmentation system. The ADS at production standard will be used to feed the FCS control laws.
Reversionary FCS has also basic carefree capability, that will be fully demonstrated with final
FCS Control Laws.
• Handling Qualities are generally good but control harmony needs deeper investigation and
confirmation when crosswinds in excess of twenty knots are met. Comment applies to both flight
and ground handling.

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• Aircraft with external stores. A significant change in aircraft characteristics will occur when the
M-346 will take off with stores externally hung to its strong points. Nine points are available to
give the aircraft a range of training and combat capabilities. Their position is:

1 2 3 4 9 5 6 7 8
Heavy Ordnance

Heavy Ordnance
Light Ordnance

Light Ordnance
Std Ordnance

Std Ordnance
Tank
Missile AA

Missile AA
Fuel

LESSONS LEARNED
The experience of the one of the authors extends over a period of forty years, and six development
programs; nevertheless, the M-346 does represent something new and unexpected.

• Involve flight test teams early in the test process.

Flight M-346 Test managers were responsible to coordinate the ground testing phase, and the test
team was involved in the activity. Attending the B tests execution as well as participation to
planning activities of first and second level is highly beneficial. In that way a lot of information is
gained and good feeling established between design and test teams. The starting point for training
could be even earlier on Rigs. The concept behind is the integrated team moving from one phase
to the other as soon as the program progresses.

• Mitigation of risks is a rewarding policy.

Three examples may be derived from the M-346:

a) FCS Phase 1 Control Laws Mode as a solution that guarantees the aircraft is safely flyable
though in a smaller than final envelope. The advantage is obvious: the aircraft can be flown
earlier and freely to set up systems.
b) An Interim Air Data System to back up the production system quite complex to develop. This
helps in the no-risk assessment of new integrated IMFP during initial flight phase, validate
models and allowing design team to refine the SW releases, with flight test outcome.
c) An interim engine control system, already tested and flight proven, assured test activity while
developing the final FADEC.

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Early Flights Achievement with the Aermacchi M-346 Advanced Trainer

• Flight test activity is a process.

M-346 program is a professinonally driven “flat” organization that embodies a tightly integrated
test team aiming at data collection and analysis to transfer test results and not only valid data to
designers, since rigs and aircraft ground testing start up.

The Flight Test Manager, the process owner responding to the Program Management, is oriented
to project development success, and is working to assure that all functions in the organization act
in a coordinated and planned way.

• Implement a collaborative approach inside and outside the company.

The collaborative approach has been adopted within the company and for the partners.

For aircraft type certification an independent, third-party certifiyng agency is established within
Italian MOD for the M-346 program.

A working group composed both by M-346 specialists and Italian MOD personnel has been
charged for the certification process, with the same collaborative approach. In particular, the
certifying Agency has full visibility on the program and relevant test results. Participation to flight
test activity for IAF test engineers and test pilots is also planned.

• Use state of the art technology

Large use of COTS SW is made in Flight Test Department, especially for data reduction and post
flight analysis. This is based on existing code used by design teams, in particular for model
development and predictions.

FTEs can share experience and applications with colleagues without expensive in-house SW
development.

For the future a new real time analysis capability will be implemented, in order to shorten the
analysis time, by performing it directly in ground station during the test flight.

Another important achievement is using the Expedata connectivity of Data Bases. In this case the
information are managed only one time directly by their owner, while visibility and traceability
are guaranteed over the process.

Also from this side continuous improvement, by adding capability to the SW tools, are under way.

CONCLUSIONS
The m-346 aircraft successful test program, before and after the first flight, is due mainly to an integrated
approach, in terms of test team and test methods / facilities.

This resulted in:

• a complete experimental process, aimed to the flight clearance of the first prototype, in a short
time.
• an efficient utilization of the IPT concept and process management approach.
• full compliance of all the safety and airworthiness requirements.

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