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Master’s in Flight Test Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in flight test engineering, with 12 modules covering test planning, instrumentation, air data calibration, performance and handling qualities testing, structural, systems and UAS/eVTOL testing, system identification and test safety, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Plan flight test campaigns.

02

Design flight test instrumentation systems.

03

Calibrate air data systems.

04

Execute and reduce performance and handling qualities tests.

05

Apply system identification techniques.

06

Manage flight test safety.

07

Develop a complete flight test campaign.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Flight test engineers seeking to broaden their expertise.
  • Instrumentation engineers.
  • Flight data analysts.
  • Certification engineers involved in test-based compliance.
  • Handling qualities engineers.
  • Flight test safety managers.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the aeronautical sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • CS-23 (certification specifications for normal-category aeroplanes)
  • CS-25 (certification specifications for large aeroplanes)
  • CS-29 (certification specifications for large rotorcraft)
  • Regulation (EU) 748/2012 – Part 21 (airworthiness and design/production certification)
  • FAA AC 25-7D (flight test guide for transport category aeroplanes)
  • MIL-STD-1797A (flying qualities of piloted aircraft)
  • ADS-33E-PRF (rotorcraft handling qualities requirements)
  • Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules for operating unmanned aircraft)
  • MATLAB
  • CIFER
  • National Instruments LabVIEW
  • Python
  • IADS
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Objectives of flight testing
  2. 1.2Development and certification testing
  3. 1.3Organisation of a test team
  4. 1.4Roles of the flight test engineer and test pilot
  5. 1.5Categories of flight testing
  6. 1.6History of flight testing
  7. 1.7Test schools and flight test training
  8. 1.8Campaign costs and planning
  9. 1.9Risks inherent in testing
  10. 1.10Case study: certification campaign of a regional aircraft
  1. 2.1Certification requirements to be demonstrated
  2. 2.2Test matrices
  3. 2.3Test cards
  4. 2.4Build-up approach technique
  5. 2.5Test risk analysis
  6. 2.6Flight and resource planning
  7. 2.7Coordination with the authority
  8. 2.8Aircraft configuration management
  9. 2.9Document control of the campaign
  10. 2.10Lab: stall test card
  1. 3.1Pressure, temperature and strain sensors
  2. 3.2Data acquisition systems
  3. 3.3Real-time telemetry
  4. 3.4Air data boom
  5. 3.5Inertial and GNSS systems
  6. 3.6Instrumentation calibration
  7. 3.7Data synchronisation
  8. 3.8Installation and certification of instrumentation
  9. 3.9Management of large data volumes
  10. 3.10Practical: instrumentation plan for a test
  1. 4.1Static position error
  2. 4.2Tower fly-by calibration methods
  3. 4.3Trailing cone
  4. 4.4Four-heading GPS methods
  5. 4.5Angle-of-attack calibration
  6. 4.6Temperature calibration
  7. 4.7Compressibility correction
  8. 4.8Data reduction
  9. 4.9Calibration uncertainty
  10. 4.10Workshop: fly-by data reduction
  1. 5.1Climb and acceleration tests
  2. 5.2Cruise and fuel consumption tests
  3. 5.3Take-off and landing tests
  4. 5.4Stall speeds
  5. 5.5Reduction to standard conditions
  6. 5.6Energy methods
  7. 5.7One-engine-inoperative performance
  8. 5.8Testing in extreme conditions
  9. 5.9Preparation of the flight manual
  10. 5.10Lab: climb data reduction
  1. 6.1Longitudinal static stability
  2. 6.2Dynamic stability and modes
  3. 6.3Manoeuvring tests
  4. 6.4Control forces
  5. 6.5Cooper-Harper rating scale
  6. 6.6Stall and spin tests
  7. 6.7Minimum control speed (VMC) tests
  8. 6.8Handling qualities testing in helicopters
  9. 6.9Pilot evaluation
  10. 6.10Practical: evaluation with the Cooper-Harper scale
  1. 7.1In-flight loads testing
  2. 7.2Strain measurement
  3. 7.3In-flight flutter testing
  4. 7.4Excitation and modal analysis
  5. 7.5Build-up approach to flutter
  6. 7.6Vibration testing
  7. 7.7Gust testing
  8. 7.8Safety in flutter testing
  9. 7.9Correlation with models
  10. 7.10Workshop: modal analysis of flutter data
  1. 8.1Flight control testing
  2. 8.2Avionics testing
  3. 8.3Electrical systems testing
  4. 8.4Fuel systems testing
  5. 8.5Natural and artificial icing tests
  6. 8.6In-flight engine testing
  7. 8.7Noise testing
  8. 8.8Electromagnetic compatibility testing
  9. 8.9Autopilot testing
  10. 8.10Lab: autopilot test in a simulator
  1. 9.1Design of excitation manoeuvres
  2. 9.2Multisine and 3211 inputs
  3. 9.3Frequency-domain identification
  4. 9.4Time-domain identification
  5. 9.5Estimation of aerodynamic derivatives
  6. 9.6Validation of simulator models
  7. 9.7CIFER and similar tools
  8. 9.8Application to rotorcraft
  9. 9.9Simulator improvement
  10. 9.10Practical: identification with flight data
  1. 10.1Particularities of uncrewed testing
  2. 10.2UAS testing in the specific category
  3. 10.3eVTOL and transition testing
  4. 10.4Electric propulsion testing
  5. 10.5Autonomous systems testing
  6. 10.6Segregated test areas
  7. 10.7Safety in uncrewed testing
  8. 10.8EASA requirements for eVTOL
  9. 10.9Test data management
  10. 10.10Case study: test plan for an eVTOL
  1. 11.1Flight test safety management systems
  2. 11.2Safety reviews
  3. 11.3Emergency plans
  4. 11.4Personal safety equipment
  5. 11.5Parachutes and escape systems
  6. 11.6Fatigue management
  7. 11.7Lessons from test accidents
  8. 11.8Safety culture
  9. 11.9Communication and briefing
  10. 11.10Workshop: risk analysis of a stall test
  1. 12.1Definition of campaign objectives
  2. 12.2Preparation of the test matrix
  3. 12.3Instrumentation and calibration plan
  4. 12.4Campaign risk assessment
  5. 12.5Writing the test cards
  6. 12.6Data reduction and analysis
  7. 12.7Test report for certification
  8. 12.8Conclusions and future work
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis: report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it can be combined with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, CIFER, National Instruments LabVIEW, Python and IADS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for air data calibration, performance and handling qualities testing, and system identification with flight data. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: CS-23, CS-25, CS-29, Regulation (EU) 748/2012 (Part 21), FAA AC 25-7D, MIL-STD-1797A, ADS-33E-PRF, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (UAS).

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of CS-23, CS-25 and CS-29 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MATLAB, CIFER, National Instruments LabVIEW, Python and IADS, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:a complete flight test campaign for certification, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Campaign objectives and test matrix
Define the campaign objectives and build the test matrix from the certification requirements.
Instrumentation and calibration plan
Specify the instrumentation and air data calibration plan for the campaign.
Risk assessment and test cards
Assess the campaign risks and write test cards using the build-up approach.
Data reduction and analysis
Reduce and analyse performance and handling qualities data to standard conditions.
Master's Thesis
Complete flight test campaign with its certification test report, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Flight test engineerInstrumentation engineerFlight data analystCertification engineerHandling qualities engineerFlight test safety manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with MATLAB, CIFER, National Instruments LabVIEW, Python and IADS, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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