Flight Controls / Control Surfaces Testing

Flight controls/control surfaces testing, also known as “iron bird” testing, typically involves a spatially correct, dimensionally accurate steel structure with all control surfaces mounted in their actual positions. Iron bird testing is done both to evaluate the performance and durability of the flight control system as well as make sure autopilot functions respond properly to simulated flight conditions. The scope and complexity of these tests change from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some prefer to minimize setups, while others run a longer list of more discrete, focused tests.

With more than four decades of experience in virtually every aspect of aerospace testing, MTS is the ideal partner for iron bird applications. Our experience and expertise in iron bird setups includes both software-driven tests and interactive, pilot-driven tests that apply variable forces precisely to all flight control surfaces, dynamically and in real-time. Important offerings related to iron bird testing include:

• High-performance, fatigue-rated actuators and custom fixturing
• State-of-the-art software that seamlessly integrates control and data acquisition
   channels and is optimized for large channel counts and large amounts of data
• Versatile digital controllers for high-speed, real-time closed loop control, data 
   acquisition, function generation and transducer conditioning
• Redundant controls and hydraulic logic capable of unloading structures at controlled 
   and synchronized rates across the airframe, ensuring test article safety
• Clean, quiet hydraulic power units