NEPALESE CIVIL AIRWORTHINESS REQUIREMENTS
SECTION C
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
CHAPTER C.8 ISSUE 1
SEPTEMBER 1982
FLIGHT TESTING
1. GENERAL
1.1 This chapter prescribes the occasions when flight testing of aircraft is required
and the procedures to be observed when an aircraft is flight tested.
1.2 A "Flight Test" means the flying of an aircraft under specified test conditions for
the purpose of assessing its performance or Airworthiness condition.
2. REQUIRED FLIGHT TESTS
2.1 An aircraft shall be flight tested:
a) Prior to the initial issue of a Nepalese Certificate of Airworthiness in any
category, except a temporary Certificate of Airworthiness in the Special
Category.
Note: In the case of a new aircraft to be imported in to Nepal, a manufacturer's test
report may be accepted in lieu of a Nepalese test report. Such an aircraft may then
be granted a temporary Certificate of Airworthiness in the Special Category for
the ferry flight to Nepal. Alternatively, if no manufacturer's test report is
available, the aircraft may be granted temporary Certificate of Airworthiness in
the Special Category for the ferry flight but must be flight tested in Nepal prior to
the issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness in any other category.
b) If the Director General so requires, prior to the renewal of a Certificate of
Airworthiness.
c) Subsequent to major maintenance which has entailed substantial structural
repairs, the replacement of major components such as engines, lifting surfaces
or modifications affecting the flight or operational characteristics of the
aircraft.
Note: No flight test is required if lifting surfaces are removed and reinstalled in their original
position after inspection which does not call for any repair or disturbance of control
elements.
d) For the purpose of evaluating fuel consumption, engine power, aircraft
performance or performance of avionic systems whenever verification is
necessary beyond the limitations of ground testing.
e) Whenever the Director General requires the aircraft to be flight tested for
considerations of safety.
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3. FLIGHT TEST SCHEDULE
3.1 Each aircraft to be flight tested shall be tested in accordance with an approved
Flight Test Schedule.
3.2 The operator of the aircraft shall submit an appropriate standard Flight Test
Schedule to the Director General for approval at least seven days prior to the
proposed first test flight. Once approved, the schedule may be used again for
subsequent flight tests of the same aircraft type.
3.3 A Flight Test Schedule submitted for approval should be based on a schedule
recommended by the manufacturer or by another operator of the aircraft type.
Any amendments required by the Director General to render it suitable for
Nepalese conditions must be embodied before approval can be granted.
3.4 A standard Flight Test Schedule for the grant or renewal of a Certificate of
Airworthiness shall include tests to check the performance and handling qualities
of the aircraft as follows:
a) A qualitative assessment of the take-off to ensure that the "all engines
operating" and "single engine operating" climb performance is within the
prescribed limits.
b) An assessment of the operation and response of the primary flight controls
and trimmers in steadly flight.
c) Checks on cruising speed and maximum speed at the optimum cruising
altitude for the aircraft type.
d) Functioning checks in flight of the aircraft systems and aircraft radio station.
e) Stalls in the take-off and landing configurations to verify that the stalling
speed is within the limits given in the Flight Manual.
f) A simulated engine failure on multi-engined aircraft.
Note: Tests (e) and (f) above shall be conducted only at a safe height and place
determined by the Pilot-in-command.
g) An assessment of vibrational levels and freedom from other undesirable
characteristics.
h) Any other tests required by the Director General for a particular aircraft type.
3.5 A Flight Test Schedule for a purpose other than the issue or renewal of a
Certificate of Airworthiness may be limited to particular aspects of flight
appropriate to the purpose of the test. The appropriate tests to be made shall be
agreed with the Airworthiness Division prior to commencement of the test.
Note: A standard Flight Test Schedule can be adapted for particular flight tests by deleting
tests not required or by adding additional items.
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4. TEST FLIGHT CREW
4.1 An aircraft to be flight tested shall have the minimum flight crew specified in the
Flight Manual or approved Operations Manual for the aircraft type.
4.2 A Flight Test Observer nominated by the Airworthiness Division will be a member
of flight crew while flight testing an aircraft for the purpose of issue or renewal of
Certificate of Airworthiness or approval of a modification or repair.
Note: The Flight Test Observer will normally be an authorized person from Airworthiness
Division familiar with the aircraft type.
4.3 The Pilot-in-Command shall be a pilot authorized by the Director General to act
as a Test Pilot. Any pilot authorized to be Instructor Pilot is also authorized to be
a Test Pilot on the types for which his licence is rated.
4.4 No passengers or cargo shall be carried on a flight test other than technical
personnel performing duties in connection with the flight. All persons carried shall
have designated seat appropriate for the duties to be performed. Each seat shall
have an approved safety belt or harness.
4.5 All persons to be carried on the flight test must be properly briefed before
commencement of the flight, the briefing to include:
a) The purpose of the flight test,
b) The procedures to be followed, and the observations to be made,
c) The data to be observed and/or recorded during the performance of the flight
test.
4.6 The Pilot-in-Command shall ensure that any special facilities or equipment
required for effective performance of the flight test is serviceable and on board
prior to commencement of the flight.
5. AIRWORTHNESS FLIGHT TEST REPORT
5.1 At the conclusion of the flight test, the Pilot-in-Command shall complete an
Airworthiness Flight Test Report. This should be done in conjunction with the
Flight Test Observer, and should contain the following:
a) Performance data observed and recorded during take-off, climb, cruise,
manoeuvres, descent and landing.
b) Any defects, deficiencies or unexpected occurences observed during the flight
test, and any indications of performance.
5.2 The Pilot-in-Command shall sign the Airworthiness Flight Test Report and ensure
that it is delivered to the Airworthiness Division of Civil Aviation Authority of
Nepal.
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5.3 The Airworthiness Flight Test Report shall be preserved until the aircraft is
removed from the Nepalese Register.
6. RECORDING OF FLIGHT TEST
6.1 An entry shall be made in the Technical (Flight) Log giving the required data of
time-in service, crew names, fuel state, take-off and landing weights, etc. A brief
statement giving the reason for the flight test shall also be recorded.
6.2 Entries shall be made in the aircraft, engine and, if appropriate, propeller log
books, giving the reasons for the flight test and a brief summary of the flight test
results. The entries shall quote the reference number of the Airworthiness Flight
Test Report. The entries shall be certified by a person appropriately licenced or
approved by the Director General.
Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.
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