Instrumented flight test course
Online course of 300 hours in instrumented flight testing. 6 modules covering test campaign organisation, flight test instrumentation, telemetry and data processing, performance testing, and handling qualities and systems testing, with an assigned technical tutor.
Instrumented flight test course — studying from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has one of the world's most established aerospace sectors, anchored by clusters in Bristol, Filton, Derby, Hampshire and Scotland's Glasgow corridor. Major manufacturers and suppliers such as Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Airbus UK and GKN Aerospace drive demand for engineers in design, propulsion, structures and systems integration. Urban air mobility, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and commercial drones are emerging alongside, supported by government programmes and test corridors. Space engineering is growing through launch and satellite activity around the UK spaceports and Harwell. Graduates with aerospace expertise find roles across manufacturing, certification and research.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £537 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which professional bodies in the UK recognise aerospace engineering qualifications, and does SEIUM's qualification give me chartered status?
In the UK, the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) is the main professional body for aerospace engineers and can award Chartered Engineer status through the Engineering Council. SEIUM's qualifications are private and are not accredited by the Engineering Council or RAeS, so they do not confer chartered status on their own. Recognition is decided by employers and the relevant body, so check directly with RAeS whether your study and experience will count towards registration.
Will a private online aerospace qualification help me find work with UK aerospace or drone employers?
UK aerospace, drone and space employers, including many working on civil aviation, defence and space projects, generally judge candidates on demonstrated skills, portfolio work and experience. A private qualification may support your application, but its value depends on each employer's own assessment. It is worth asking prospective employers how they view such qualifications before you enrol.
Can I study this programme alongside a full-time job in the UK, and what language level is needed?
Yes, programmes are delivered fully online, so you can study from home without a student visa, wherever you are based. Workload varies by programme length, and you will have an assigned technical tutor for support. Teaching is in English, so you should be comfortable reading and writing technical English. Check the programme schedule and time commitment against your working hours before enrolling.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Plan a safe flight test campaign.
Design flight test instrumentation systems.
Manage telemetry and data processing.
Reduce performance data to standard conditions.
Identify dynamic characteristics from test data.
Assess measurement uncertainty.
Draw up test plans and test cards.
Who it's for
- Flight test engineers
- Instrumentation engineers
- Telemetry engineers
- Flight data analysts
- Certification engineers
- Instrumentation installation technicians
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the aeronautics sector
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 (airworthiness and environmental certification of aircraft)
- FAA AC 25-7D (flight test guide for certification of transport category aeroplanes)
- CS-25 (EASA) (certification specifications for large aeroplanes)
- FAA AC 23-8C (flight test guide for certification of Part 23 aeroplanes)
- IRIG 106 (telemetry standards)
- ARINC 429 (digital information transfer system for avionics)
- MIL-STD-1553B (digital time-division command/response multiplex data bus)
- Curtiss-Wright Acra KAM-500
- IADS (Curtiss-Wright)
- MATLAB System Identification Toolbox
- Python with pandas
- Dewesoft
6 modules
1.1Objectives of flight testing1.2Development and certification testing1.3The test team and its responsibilities1.4Test plan and test cards1.5Risk management in testing1.6Permits to fly and experimental aircraft1.7Safety and emergency procedures1.8Test facilities and test areas1.9Coordination with air traffic control1.10Case study: risk analysis of a stall test
2.1Architecture of an FTI system2.2Pressure, temperature and strain sensors2.3Accelerometers and inertial units2.4Air data sensors and nose booms2.5Strain gauges on structures2.6ARINC 429 and MIL-STD-1553 avionics buses2.7Data acquisition and synchronisation2.8Installation and certification of the instrumentation2.9Calibration of the measurement chain2.10Lab: configuring a data acquisition system
3.1Real-time telemetry3.2IRIG 106 standard3.3Ground telemetry station3.4Monitoring of critical parameters3.5Data formats and storage3.6Signal filtering and processing3.7Measurement uncertainty3.8Correlation with simulation3.9Management of large data volumes3.10Practical exercise: processing a flight record
4.1Air data system calibration4.2Tower and pacer aircraft methods4.3Stall speed tests4.4Climb and glide tests4.5Take-off and landing tests4.6Data reduction to standard conditions4.7Fuel consumption and range4.8One-engine-inoperative tests4.9Comparison with performance models4.10Workshop: data reduction of a climb test
5.1In-flight static stability5.2Identification of dynamic modes5.3Manoeuvre excitation techniques5.4System identification from data5.5Stall and spin tests5.6Flight flutter tests5.7Systems and avionics tests5.8Tests in icing conditions5.9Noise and vibration tests5.10Case study: short-period identification with real data
6.1Definition of test objectives6.2Selection of aircraft and parameters6.3Instrumentation design6.4Test plan and cards6.5Risk analysis6.6Planned data processing6.7Analysis of results6.8Test conclusions6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training 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 you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Curtiss-Wright Acra KAM-500, IADS (Curtiss-Wright), MATLAB System Identification Toolbox, Python with pandas and Dewesoft, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: design of an instrumentation system, reduction of performance data and identification of dynamic parameters from flight data. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) No 748/2012, FAA AC 25-7D, CS-25 (EASA), FAA AC 23-8C, IRIG 106, ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553B
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Curtiss-Wright Acra KAM-500, IADS (Curtiss-Wright), MATLAB System Identification Toolbox, Python with pandas and Dewesoft, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required: you need an internet connection, 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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