Logistics Support Considerations

When preparing for the conduct of a Test and Evaluation TE 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. The FTE must also understand the differences between the logistics support required to conduct his test and the tests of the logistics system. 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, facilitates, 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, coldhot, salt watersand, electromagnetic environment, altitude, aircraft carrier, etc., or repetitive nature of the test takeofflanding, acceldecels, or repetitive high time at specific test conditions.