{"id":9529,"date":"2026-06-30T19:27:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T19:27:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rdgundem.com\/a-day-of-flight-testing-at-nasa-armstrong\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T19:27:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T19:27:13","slug":"a-day-of-flight-testing-at-nasa-armstrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rdgundem.com\/en\/a-day-of-flight-testing-at-nasa-armstrong\/","title":{"rendered":"A Day of Flight Testing at NASA Armstrong"},"content":{"rendered":"
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3 min read<\/p>\n

Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Two<\/a><\/figure>
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NASA flight test engineer A.J. Jaffe and pilot Nils Larson walk on the ramp before a flight Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The two support the agency\u2019s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) project, which aims to lower fuel costs for future commercial aircraft by testing a scale-model wing designed to improve laminar flow.<\/div>\n
NASA\/Christopher LC Clark<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Flight testing is a team sport. For nearly 80 years, teams at NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, have used flight testing to push the limits of aerodynamics and advance aviation.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, NASA\u2019s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF<\/a>) initiative tested a wing concept that would maximize the smooth flow of air known as laminar flow, which could lower fuel costs for future airliners. During flight testing, researchers strapped a scale-model CATNLF wing to the bottom of a NASA F-15 aircraft.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what a day of CATNLF flight testing looked like.<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/a><\/figure>
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NASA ground crew prepares the agency\u2019s F-15 research aircraft and Cross Flow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) test article ahead of its first high-speed taxi test on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2026, at NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The CATNLF design aims to reduce drag on wing surfaces to improve efficiency and, in turn, reduce fuel burn.<\/div>\n
NASA\/Christopher LC Clark<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

5 a.m. \u2014 Aircraft staging<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ground crews<\/a> ready the aircraft for the mission. If the operation involves a chase plane \u2014 a second aircraft to monitor the test flight \u2014 it would also be prepared, along with its crew. \u00a0<\/p>\n

6 a.m. \u2014 Crew brief<\/strong> <\/h3>\n

Pilots, engineers, maintenance techs, project leads, researchers, photographers, and videographers meet to review the flight\u2019s goals, weather reports, and final details.<\/p>\n

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\"Six<\/a><\/figure>
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NASA researchers Mike Frederick, right, and Michelle Banchy, left, along with Ashante Jordan and intern Phillip Nguyen, sit in a control room and prepare for a flight test Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The agency\u2019s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) project aims to lower fuel costs for future commercial aircraft by testing a scale-model wing designed to improve laminar flow.<\/div>\n
NASA\/Christopher LC Clark<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

6:30 a.m. \u2014 Control room checks, air crew suit-up<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Researchers head to the control room to complete day-of checks, confirming all communications, displays, and instruments are functioning.<\/p>\n

Pilots suit up in life support, including custom\u2011fit pressure suits, harnesses, helmets, and masks. If a photographer, videographer, or flight test engineer will be in the aircraft\u2019s back seat, they do the same.<\/p>\n

6:45 a.m.<\/strong> \u2014 Air crew steps, control room preparations<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The pilot completes preflight checks with the crew chief and technicians for the aircraft\u2019s electrical systems. The pilot and the crew chief sign a flight preparedness report confirming the aircraft is ready to fly.<\/p>\n

Inside the control room, the team prepares to monitor the flight using the same set of test cards, a step-by-step plan for the flight.<\/p>\n

7 a.m.<\/strong> \u2014 Pilot secured in jet<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The pilot and backseat crew member climb into their seats, strap in, and secure any gear they\u2019ve brought for the test. The pilot completes preflight ground checks.<\/p>\n

7:15 a.m. \u2014 Aircraft taxi<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The pilot communicates with the control tower and taxis to the runway. Control room teams at NASA Armstrong monitor the aircraft via radio.<\/p>\n

7:30 a.m. \u2014 Takeoff<\/strong> <\/h3>\n

The pilot accelerates down the runway and, at the proper speed, pulls back on the stick to take off. Once airborne, the pilot coordinates with air traffic control at Edwards Air Force Base and the NASA Armstrong control room while flying to the designated test area.<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/a><\/figure>
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A F-15 aircraft owned by NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, flies above a mountain range on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The agency\u2019s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) test article is attached to the bottom of this F-15. This project aims to lower\u00a0fuel\u00a0costs for\u00a0future commercial\u00a0aircraft by testing a scale-model wing\u00a0designed to improve laminar flow.\u00a0<\/div>\n
NASA\/Jim Ross<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

7:30 to 8:30 a.m. \u2014 Flight<\/strong><\/h3>\n

At the test location, the team coordinates with the pilot on altitude, speed, and maneuvers. The test conductor relays each task, and the pilot completes them one-by-one. The pilot and control room monitor the performance of the hardware, instruments, aircraft, or software throughout the sequence. After completing the test points, the pilot returns to base.<\/p>\n

8:45 a.m. \u2014 Landing, towing<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The pilot lands and taxis to the ramp at NASA Armstrong, where the crew chief meets the jet. After the pilot exits, the aircraft is towed into the hangar for maintenance.<\/p>\n

9:30 a.m. \u2014 Crew debrief<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The pilot, project team, and mission controlstaff return to the briefing room tocapture lessons learned and document items for follow-up.<\/p>\n

10 a.m. \u2014 Data download, second flight prep<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Teams download flight data for analysis. If two flights are scheduled, preparations begin immediately for the second.<\/p>\n

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\"Four<\/a><\/figure>
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Four NASA employees walk toward a hangar after a flight Thursday, Feb. 4, 2026, at NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The team supports the agency\u2019s Crossflow Attenuated Natural Laminar Flow (CATNLF) project, which aims to lower fuel costs for future commercial aircraft by testing a scale-model wing designed to improve laminar flow.<\/div>\n
NASA\/Christopher LC Clark<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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