Fulcrum Concepts

Test

Concept to Flight Test

Test

Fulcrum provides comprehensive test capabilities for all phases of testing. Our approach encompasses all testing disciplines; we can support your project from initial engineering development through lab, ground, and final flight testing. Whether you need end-to-end flight test management or technical support to augment a specific phase of your project, we can help.

Flight Test Capabilities

Fulcrum conducts flight test activities on both fixed- and rotary-wing platforms. Our test pilots are US Naval Test Pilot School graduates with relevant military and commercial experience. Our flight test engineers coordinate data collection and processing as appropriate to meet the specific needs of each project.
  • Certification support for aircraft modifications
  • First-article testing
  • Weapons testing including live-fire testing

Static Load Testing

Whether testing components on the airframe or mounted in our 50,000lb capacity load reaction frame, Fulcrum’s engineering team can conduct static load testing that evaluates the exact parameters your project needs.

Ground Test Capabilities

At Fulcrum we develop and execute the full range of ground tests required to support your overall test plan. Whether testing to establish or meet safety of flight criteria, correlate predictive models with actual data, or product data for certification, we know how to work with the airworthiness authority to ensure testing satisfies certification requirements.

FRMA/RAP Testing

Fulcrum conducts Frequency Response Modal Analysis/Resonance Assessment Profile (FRMA/RAP) testing using the Dewesoft data acquisition system with modal plugin for frequency response function.

Ground Fire Testing

Fulcrum test engineers are experienced at conducting safe, effective, and efficient ground fire testing, both with fixture- and aircraft-mounted systems.

MIL-STD Lab Testing

Fulcrum’s lab capabilities allow our team to conduct environmental, dynamic, and electrical testing to ensure your product meets applicable sections of MIL-STDs -810, -461, and -704.

Data Acquisition

Fulcrum’s test engineers use Dewesoft’s Pro X “slice-based” data acquisition software. This flexible system can be set up to gather data in both ground-based and in-flight testing scenarios. Our data collection includes the use of the full range of test sensors (strain gages, accelerometers, etc.), as well as the Photron Nova high-speed camera, capable of capturing footage at up to 2,000,000 FPS.

Test Documentation

From developing comprehensive test plans to documenting results in a clear, complete, and compliant manner, the Fulcrum team has experience compiling test reports to meet the needs of customers, regulatory bodies, and certifying agencies.

Range Support

Armed aircraft operations are a Fulcrum core competency. Our team includes a full complement of gunship pilots, armament personnel, and engineers with weapons experience. We are extremely comfortable operating Forward Arming and Refueling Points (FARPs), running range operations, and maintaining various weapons systems day or night.
The Key to Comprehensive Solutions

Certification

Demonstrating airworthiness and/or obtaining certification for aircraft modifications is key to providing comprehensive solutions to our customers.

Our engineering substantiation and flight test capabilities enable us to produce the vast majority of data required for airworthiness certification in-house. We have experience with complex DoD FMS airworthiness efforts, FAA STC efforts, and international direct commercial sales efforts. We are comfortable augmenting your certification effort or managing the entire process to include interfacing with the appropriate airworthiness authority.

Airworthiness Certification

Fulcrum is very experienced in developing, collecting, packaging, and managing the substantiation data required to obtain an airworthiness release, commercial certification, or international certification. We are very comfortable managing the process or simply assisting as required depending upon customer needs.

Airworthiness Qualification Specification (AQS)

Fulcrum is fully capable of managing the entire flight test process. We have commercial, military, and hybrid experience. We work closely with our customer and assist in AQP development as required. Then we develop an AQS to satisfy the AQP requirements.

A large part of that is developing the test plans that provide the road map for executing the program to the appropriate standards, and the test reports that document the results of the flight test effort in order to substantiate changes affecting performance and maintenance requirements.