The simulated flight missions explored many topics in helicopter longitudinal and lateral-directional static stability, controllability, dynamic stability and response. The activity was actively supported by the CSA commander and test pilot CDR Nicola D’Amico, test pilot LCDR Fabio Laporta (who flew all the sixteen missions) and Flight Test Engineer LT Vincenzo Giordano. The students were introduced to this challenging activity by a dedicated preparation seminar, followed by test planning and test card discussion, and finally pre-flight briefing. The students performed a preliminary analysis of the data gathered during their missions and presented their results only a few hours after the simulator session in front of PoliMI teaching staff and CSA experts.

The Flight Testing course is offered to 2nd year Aeronautical Engineering MSc students at Politecnico di Milano. During the course, each student is called to plan, perform, and analyze a real flight test mission. This year, simulated rotorcraft flight test missions were again added to the curriculum, thanks to the willingness and enthusiasm of the CSA commander and staff, under the patronage of the Italian Navy.

Co-operating with the Italian Navy's top-notch experimental flight unit brings a unique flavor to our course.

A grateful thank goes to our awesome Navy Test Pilots and Flight Test Engineer and to the Maristaeli Luni personnel for this wonderful educational opportunity!