NASA Flight Tests

NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center conducts flight tests to advance aviation. The Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) project aims to lower fuel costs for future commercial aircraft by testing a scale-model wing designed to improve laminar flow.

A typical day of flight testing involves a team of pilots, engineers, and technicians. The process begins with aircraft staging, followed by a crew brief, control room checks, and air crew suit-up. The pilot then secures themselves in the jet, and the aircraft taxis to the runway for takeoff.

Once airborne, the pilot coordinates with air traffic control and the NASA Armstrong control room while flying to the designated test area. The team monitors the performance of the hardware, instruments, aircraft, or software throughout the sequence.

After completing the test points, the pilot returns to base, and the aircraft is towed into the hangar for maintenance. The crew then debriefs to capture lessons learned and document items for follow-up.