Questions on Flight Testing

[guest]

Hello, I am a mechanical engineering student with interest in aerospace, combustion and propulsion and vehicle systems and have hands on mechanical experience. I am currently debating revising my 3 selections for SF's and was wondering specifically the differences in flight testing between Edwards AFB and the Arnold engineering center. Also, Edwards seems like a smaller operation, will they be hiring mechanical engineers in the next 2-3 years? Which venue, testing or research in your opinion provides a better hands on experience? (AKA a desk job just wouldn't be for me all the time). As you might imagine, I don't have 1 specific research area or field nailed down but rather a general idea of a few interesting fields. Being a Sophomore at a community school i don't have access to college research and any advice or further information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. And thanks for this website, it has provided a plethora of insightful information.

[administrator]

Simple answer is Edwards=Flight Test, AEDC=Ground Test.

At AEDC they put engines in test rigs and do lots and lots of perfomance and envelope characterisation. At Edwards, we verify their data. Flight testing costs $$$, so we do fewer tests than they do.

Both Edwards and AEDC are very large operations, and both will be highering many mechanical engineers. Our propulsion groups are also similar size.

[guest]

Do engineers at Edwards do work on the aircraft in-flight or is it ground based?

[guest]

Sorry, that could have been clearer. What I meant to ask is do the engineers ever get to fly in the aircraft they test or do they merely sit in a hangar analyzing data from the aircraft in flight?

[administrator]

Simple answer, No. They used to, but not anymore.

[guest]

thats too bad