Seattle Chapter Supports Flight Test Project STEM Event

In April, the 9^th grade students from Raisbeck Aviation High School in Seattle presented results of their performance takeoff testing of the B737-900, to aviation professionals from both SFTE and SETP. Students tested a range of variables including gross weight, flaps, temperature, elevation and N1 and conducted the testing on the desktop simulator X-Plane 11. Each variable was tested at least three times at each of the low, mid and high ranges of the data. Test data was downloaded from X-Plane and put into a spreadsheet to determine the runway distance that was needed to get to 35 feet AGL. Tables were made and data was plotted up in the report. The report also included sections about Risk Assessment, Test Procedure and Results. The judges evaluated both the test report and the presentation using the teacher-provided rubric. The judges were most impressed with the student groups that could explain their test results in terms of the variables in the Lift Equation.

The next step is for these students to present their flight test results to the entire Seattle Chapter at an upcoming dinner meeting at the school hosted by the Seattle Chapter. They will build tri-fold posters and line the perimeter of the auditorium for the members to visit, and one lucky group will get to present their project to the entire auditorium.