T-38 Wind-Tunnel Data Quality Assurance Based on Testing of a Standard Model

Abstract

The tests of the standard models serve to confirm the overall accuracy and repeatability of measurements in every single wind-tunnel facility and to confirm confidence in results obtained. The intention of the authors in this paper is to present, with exemplary test results, a methodology for certification and verification of the overall reliability of the T-38 Military Technical Institute’s trisonic wind tunnel on the basis of check standard testing together with a small number of repeat-run sets prior to the customer’s tests. Wind-tunnel data uncertainty is considered in the form of repeatability of a few presumably identical tests of a standard model. Test data are also correlated with those from other wind-tunnel facilities.