Chapter 2 - Historical Perspective, One Hundred Years of Flight Testing

In less than a century the airplane has undergone a spectacular evolution. This evolution was marked by recurring cycles of research, ground testing, production, flight testing, improved products, and it stemmed from man's constant striving for better, more capable, more effective, more economical airplanes. The early pioneers in aviation combined many disciplines: they were aerodynamicist, materials specialist, researcher, designer, airframe manufacturer and sometimes, like the Wright brothers, engine-manufacturer too. They were also test pilot, flight test engineer (FTE) and data analyst, all in one person. As time progressed, technology advanced and the complexity of airplanes increased, it was no longer possible for one person to remain ahead of the developments in all fields. Specialist disciplines started to develop and the former "one-man" job dissolved into many specialist functions. The function of FTE was one of those specialist functions. In itself the profession of FTE has changed quite a bit over the years, as a consequence of further specialization. It is interesting to seek an answer to the question: "Who can be regarded as the first Flight Test Engineer?". Starting from the definition of an FTE, as given in the previous Section, it still is not very easy. Some say the Wright brothers, others mention Lilienthal. The fact remains that they were not FTEs only, they embodied numerous other disciplines. The first pure FTE must have emerged during the late twenties. This Section will briefly discuss the history of flight, the evolution of aircraft and its systems and the evolution of the profession of the FTE in the light of the aeronautical developments that have taken place since man's first flight. It will give some insight in the tools and the facilities the FTE has used in his work. Furthermore, it will try to unveil what the future has in store for the FTE.