Page 65 - HeliOps Frontline Issue 26

HELIOPS FRONTLINE / ISSUE 26 / 2019 65

the CSA, depending on our needs we take the aircraft directly from
the squadrons, or in some cases from Leonardo.”
Test pilots and flight engineers who are selected to work for
the CSA all go to Naval Air Station Patuxent River in the United
States for a one-year course at the US Naval Test Pilot School,
before graduating as Naval test pilot or flight engineer. Commander
Pingitore elaborated, “During the course we fly on all types of
aircraft in the US, both fixed wing and rotary aircraft, to get as
diverse training as possible. This will help us when we get to
the CSA and start working on the different test programs. We
then return on a yearly basis for specific testing. As example we
will soon be testing a new fly-by wire system on the Blackhawk
helicopter. In addition to this we have an exchange program
each May with the test pilot school for a period of two weeks to
exchange experiences and learn from each other.”
The CSA is comprised of five sections, being ship interface
testing, general aircraft handling testing, aircraft sensor testing,
technical solution testing and electronic warfare testing.
Commander Pingitore explained, “Our ability to test in different
areas is vital for the Italian Navy. We are involved in testing of
prototypes of new aircraft, but also weapons that we use on our
aircraft. CSA performed the first launches of torpedoes and missiles,
as well as firing new guns that we have on board the helicopters.
We perform dynamic system testing between aircraft and Navy
ships and try to find the limits of the aircraft. Collaboration between
other governmental agencies is vital in this. Together with the army,