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Simpler, faster flight testing with Airbus’ GENETI platform

Simpler, faster flight testing with Airbus’ GENETI platform

Already in operation in South Africa and Mexico, Airbus’ universal GENETI platform can reduce flight test installation time by as much as 50 per cent.

29 September 2010 Feature story

A new modular, reusable platform designed by Airbus is reducing flight test installation (FTI) time and associated costs, allowing for more efficient analysis during flight test campaigns.

Work on GENETI (generic flight test installation) began in 2008. Its development team was tasked with replacing existing flight test installations facing obsolescence and those customised to specific aircraft programmes at high costs.
 
Guided by lean thinking, the team took a low-cost approach to designing this universal platform.  Nonetheless, GENETI’s functional, ergonomic design fully addresses the needs of its users.
   
GENETI’s flight test engineer station, located in the cabin, consists of only nine components – enabling onboard installation in a single day – and can be fully tested on the ground. Overall, the station is able to measure up to 300 flight parameters.
 
Initial test campaigns in South Africa and Mexico, both using single-aisle Airbus aircraft, already have demonstrated that GENETI can reduce FTI development time by as much as 50 per cent.
 
A larger version, medium generic FTI, is planned for the A350 XWB.