TM l-1500-328-23
copilot, technical inspectors, and observers.
Aviators who are not
graduates of the Aircraft Maintenance Test Flight course may be
appointed as Maintenance Test Pilots upon completion of an evaluation
administered per AR 95-l.
Airplanes being flight checked for autopilot systems may
depart under Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) conditions but
must accomplish the checks under Visual Meteorological
Conditions (VMC).
a. Maintenance test flights will be conducted with a minimum
flight crew as prescribed in the applicable aircraft Operator's
Manual (-10). Maintenance test flights must be performed within all
operational limits and restrictions prescribed in the applicable -10
manual.
Cargo and nonessential passengers are prohibited on all
maintenance test flights.
(1) Only aviators that have completed all the requirements
stated in AR 95-1 shall accomplish rotary wing maintenance test
flights.
(2) Aviators conducting maintenance test flights in fixed wing
aircraft must be on orders designated by the Unit Commander as
"Maintenance Test Pilot" for a specific mission, type, design and
series aircraft per AR 95-l.
(3) When the Army has accepted the risk of loss or damage, and
the Army does not perform a follow-up
flight (factory
new or overhaul production) contractors or other agencies conducting
will have received an evaluation from a unit/monitoring agency.
b. Maintenance test flights will normally be conducted under
Visual Flight Rule (VFR) conditions during daylight hours.
The Commander of a unit to which the aircraft is assigned, or a
C.
Commander of a unit performing maintenance on a transient aircraft
may determine the need for a maintenance test flight during
The Commander is authorized to
conditions other than day VFR.
approve such flights on a case-by-case basis under the following
conditions:
(1) During hours of darkness, if the aircraft is equipped for
night flight.
(2) Under a combination of VFR, IFR, and VFR-on-TOP conditions,
if the aircraft is equipped for instrument flight.
When necessary
the following will apply:
(a) The IFR equipment must be operational.
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