Dynamic Taxi Testing

The first C-5M Super Galaxy completed dynamic taxi testing at the US Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, California, on 25 August. The main focus of the tests was to identify any structural movement of the engines or pylons when the aircraft travels over a variety of rough surfaces. To conduct the test, the 412th Test Wing at Edwards built four large plywood and metal ramps designed to shake the instrumented aircraft structure at test speeds ranging from thirty to 110 knots. Dynamic testing, which validates the structural design of the new engine and pylon, is also a prerequisite to flutter testing the modified airlifter.