Since the mid 1980s, British Aerospace's Military Aircraft Division has been committed to the concept of real time data monitoring and analysis in the flight test environment as a prime means of improving effectiveness. This paper presents an overview of the aerodynamic aspects of flight testing, the area which was chosen for the proof of concept phase and was utilized extensively on the experimental aircraft programme. The techniques developed and methods employed are discussed in more detail and examples of the achievements are given. The lessons learnt from the proof of concept phase are reviewed and the implementations of the concept on current major projects are briefly outlined.
