Chapter 5 - Logistics Support Considerations

When preparing for the conduct of a Test and Evaluation (T&E) program it is vital that the Flight Test Engineer (FTE) ensure that adequate arrangements are being made for the logistics support of the test program. The FTE must understand the type of tests that will be conducted and then communicate the peculiar needs of his test project to the logistics support community. Logistics support is required to keep the test aircraft flying in the required test configuration, while a logistics test evaluates the support system required for the intended user to operate the aircraft. The logistic support system includes support equipment, technical orders, facilities, and manning. Test support requirements may vary drastically depending on status of the aircraft (new aircraft such as C-17, or old aircraft such as F-14D), environmental conditions (cold/hot, salt water/sand, electromagnetic environment, altitude, aircraft carrier, etc.), or repetitive nature of the test (takeoff/landing, accelerations/decelerations, or repetitive high time at specific test conditions). Perhaps the most important point to make is that the FTE should locate the logistics experts at their facility, explain the tests that are to be conducted, and task them to provide the support that is required. The FTE cannot arrange the logistics support without expert help. However, these logistics experts may well be able to provide information on spares, training and timing of support so that the FTE can rearrange his planned schedule of tests more efficiently to better match the availability of support. This Section will provide an overview of the types of logistic planning that must be conducted in preparation for such tests and the role of the FTE in defining these support requirements. The conduct of the Logistics T&E program is discussed in Section 23.