Avionics News March 2017 - 52

James Ross, quality manager, and Tim Chase, lead mechanic, review technical data and wiring schematics for routine scheduled maintenance on
an Aermacchi Impala MB-326M.

FLIGHT RESEARCH INC.
Continued from page 51

fatalities associated with loss of control. Students learn from
former military pilots in a Huey B212, Augusta A109 and
Eurocopter-MBB Bo 105, experiencing all three rotor systems
- fully articulated, teetering and rigid.
The Flight Attendant Upset Recognition and Recovery
Training program helps prepare crew members to respond
professionally and ensure passenger safety after experiencing
a sudden change in flight dynamics such as a high bank angle,
wake turbulence or clear air turbulence. The Flight Attendant
URRT course also includes academic and in-flight training.
From flight testing to STC engineering
Flight Research's expertise goes beyond advanced flight
training. At its own FAA-certified repair station at the Mojave
Air and Space Port, a team of dedicated, skilled professionals
keep the company's fleet flying and updated with the latest
equipment.
"We've recently given our fleet of data acquisition aircraft
a full complement of instrumentation upgrades," Korner
explained. "The upgrades included removing analog systems
installed in the early 1990s that were originally designed for
Formula One air racing and replacing them with a new AHRS
digital data acquisition system that interfaces with today's latest
software systems. The upgrades allow our clients to analyze and
evaluate specific parameters recorded during the flights."
Back in the hangar, pilots are able to use the data to
evaluate not only their performance but also the aircraft's
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avionics news

march

2017

flying qualities, enhancing their training. Twelve of the
company's rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft include data
acquisition capabilities.
In addition to flight training, about 25 percent of the
company's business involves helping its clients - from
militaries and OEMs to corporations and individuals -
with the FAA certification process. Flight Research assists
with virtually all aspects, including flight testing, avionics
installations, and engineering and developing STCs and
aircraft modifications.
"Our technicians and engineers all have extensive
experience modifying and instrumenting aircraft for flight,"
said Korner of his team of FAA DERs, airframe and
powerplant mechanics, avionics technicians, and structure and
sheet metal specialists.
Among its recent projects, the company has assisted with
testing and certification for RVSM, night vision and forwardlooking infrared systems, as well as glass panel avionics,
weapons and sensor systems, flight controls, and special
mission equipment.
"We've grown exponentially over the last 24 months," said
Korner, who acquired the company in 2013 from the founders.
"I attribute that to our commitment to quality and focus on
safety, training and efficiencies. We're dedicated to helping
our clients and their products perform at their safest, highest
and best levels."
On the tarmac, the student pilot hops out of the Impala,
beaming with newfound confidence. After recovering from
deep stalls, inverted spins, and a nose down 70-degree bank,
the rest of the day seems rather easy. q

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News March 2017