Instrument Check-out Procedures
ER2 Check-out Procedure
This procedure assumes that the MTP has
been integrated onto the aircraft.
Pre-flight
- Ask the Crew Chief to have the Data Unit access plate
opened, or if given permission use a Torq-Set screwdriver to open the Data
Unit access plate on the right engine cheek. Make sure that PCMCIA Flashcard
is in place.
- Request electrician to turn MTP on in the ER2 cockpit
(for CAMEX-4, Upper Q-Bay 3, or Q3 switch)
- Stand beside the right engine cheek and place your ear
against it. Within ~ 1 minute you should hear the MTP begin to scan. Make
sure that there are no grating or metallic sounds that might be caused if,
for example, the fiduciary sensor strikes a nut used to mount the window.
- Let system run for about 5 minutes
- During this time ensure that the HDPE window is clean.
If not, use plastic finger nail brush to clean it with water from a soaked
paper towel.
- Ask the electrician to remove power from the MTP, and
check that it has stopped scanning.
Post-flight
- Once the Crew Chief allows access to the airplane, ask
for the Data Unit access plate to be open, or if given permission, use the
Torq-Set screwdriver to open the access plate and remove the Flashcard.
- Put the Flashcard in an available laptop computer PCMCIA
slot.
- Run MTPinfo from the MTP folder and select
Default Source file frame at the bottom of the dialog box; this will
generally be the last flight processed. Then use the Setup tab to add
the current flight number, flight date, and flight objective to the
MISSION.NUM file.To do this, first use the ADD button to add
the information to the combo box list, and then WRITE to save it to
disk. Finally, set the current flight as the default by pressing the Default
tab on the Destination File to Put frame.
- Run MTPref and select the Setup tab; the current
flight information should appear.Use the Copy Raw button on the bottom
right to get the raw data from the Flashcard and automatically rename and
copy it to the proper directory for the mission. Then use the Copy Cal
button to rename and copy the default CAL file from the mission directory
to the flight directory. Finally press the Start button to generate
a binary REF file for the flight.
- Once the REF processing is complete, use the MTP folder
to open Excel. Under the MJMacros pull-down list, select the Plot
Dialog Box option, and then the Flight tab. The current flight should
appear; select the Get REF button to bring the necessary information
into the Excel spreadsheet.
- Re-open the Plot Dialog Box and select the
Command tab, and then the Plot All button. This will plot out
all the diagnostic plots for the flight.
- Once plotting is complete, verify that all the plots
look nominal. Use the Save .xls button to save the spreadsheet to the
default flight folder.
- This completes the post-flight analysis, now return
the FlashCard to the Data Unit before you forget (or in case you sleep in
an miss the pre-flight)!
DC8 Check-out Procedure
- If DC-8 right forward door can be opened, make sure
that the MTP fairing window is clean.
- Turn MTP on by depressing yellow button on the Real
Time Computer.
- Verify that valid profile appear on the Mission Managers
flat-panel video display or the ICATS video channel.
- If the MTP Experimenter's Rack is on the aircraft, use
the Serial IO program to verify that serial data is being received.
WB57 Check-out Procedure
This procedure assumes that the MTP has been
integrated onto the aircraft; it is very similar to the ER2 procedure discussed
above, with the difference that the backseat video display must be check
as well.
Pre-flight
- Using a flathead screwdriver to open the right spearpod
access hatch to gain access to the WB57 Analysis Computer (WAC) box. Then
open the WAC box using the two quick open latches to verify that the Flashcard
is in place. Also check the Data Unit Flashcard (although it is generally
never removed.)
- Request electrician or backseater to turn MTP power
from the backseat.
- Stand beside the right pod and place your ear against
the MTP fairing. Within ~ 1 minute you should hear the MTP begin to scan.
Make sure that there are no grating or metallic sounds that might be caused
if for example the fiduciary sensor strikes a nut used to mount the window.
- Let system run for about 5 minutes
- During this time ensure that the HDPE window is clean.
If not, use plastic finger nail brush to clean it with water from a soaked
paper towel.
- Ask the electrician or backseater to remove power
from the MTP, and ensure that it has stopped scanning.
Post-flight
- Once the WB57 is in the hangar, use a flat-head screwdriver
to access the WAC and remove the Flashcard.
- Put the Flashcard in an available laptop computer
PCMCIA slot.
- Run MTPinfo from the MTP folder and select
Default Source file frame at the bottom of the dialog box; this
will be the last flight processed. Then use the Setup tab to add the current
flight number, flight date, and flight objective to the
MISSION.NUM file.To do this, first use the ADD button to add
the information to the combo box list, and then WRITE to save it to
disk. Finally, set the current flight as the default by pressing the Default
tab on the Destination File frame.
- Run MTPref and select the Setup tab; the current
flight information should appear.Use the Copy Raw button on the bottom
right to get the raw data from the Flashcard and automatically rename and
copy it to the proper directory for the mission. Then use the Copy Cal
button to rename and copy the default cal file from the mission directory
to the flight directory. Finally press the Start button to generate
a binary REF file for the flight.
- Once the REF processing is complete, use the MTP folder
to open Excel. Under the MJMacros pull-down list, select the
Plot Dialog Box option, and then the Flight tab. The current
flight should appear; select the Get REF button to bring the necessary
information into the Excel spreadsheet.
- Re-open the Plot Dialog Box and select the
Command tab, and then the Plot All button. This will plot
out all the diagnostic plots for the flight.
- Once plotting is complete, verify that all the plots
look nominal. Use the Save .xls button to save the spreadsheet to the
default flight folder.
This completes the post-flight analysis.
- Put the FlashCard back in the WAC before you forget!