Use Cases
Real-time blade behavior tracking
in flight test beds
Summary
In Aero-Engine Testing, Every Microsecond Counts
From development through certification, aero-engine manufacturers must evaluate engine behavior under actual flight conditions. Flying Test Beds (FTBs) make such in-flight assessments possible — but their extreme environments and limited accessibility demand robust, autonomous, and ultra-precise instrumentation.
Ensuring Reliable Blade Health Monitoring in Flying Test Bed Applications with CAPABLADE for FTB.
The challenge
Modern aero-engines face intense thermal, mechanical, and vibrational stresses. Monitoring blade tip clearance (BTC) and blade tip timing (BTT) with precision is essential to ensure turbine health and engine reliability.
Key challenges include:
- High Vibration and Acceleration – Mechanical shocks and loads that can compromise standard sensors and systems.
- Extreme Temperatures and Altitudes – Operating conditions from -40°C to +50°C and altitudes up to 4600 meters.
- No In-Flight Access – Systems must be fully autonomous.
- Measurement Reliability – Accuracy must be maintained despite turbulence and pressure variations.
FLIGHT TEST APPLICATIONS
- Flying Test Bed Campaigns – Real-time monitoring of compressor and turbine blade dynamics in operational flight conditions.
- In-Flight Engine Diagnostics – Track thermal expansion, vibratory behavior, and dynamic performance throughout all flight phases.
- Certification and Compliance – Provide OEMs and authorities with BTC/BTT data for validation.
The solution
FOGALE's CAPABLADE for FTB is a rugged, fully integrated solution for BTC and BTT measurements under real-world flight conditions.
- Validate engine or structural performance with high-resolution data from the earliest design stages
- Ensure readiness and reduce mission risk with durable, zero-maintenance sensing solutions
- Embed inspection tools in constrained areas, including rotating parts or internal bore structures
- Leverage a sensor partner trusted across major aerospace and defense OEMs and programs
KEY ADVANTAGES OF CAPABLADE for FTB
- Standalone Operation – No ground control needed during flight.
- Mechanical & Thermal Robustness – Survives shocks and extreme temperatures.
- High-Precision Acquisition – Enables blade condition analysis.
- Compact, Multi-Channel Design – Up to 12 channels in minimal space.
- Proven Architecture – Trusted by major OEMs.
The results
CAPABLADE for FTB empowers engine developers with a reliable, high-precision solution for in-flight blade monitoring. Its autonomous design, rugged construction, and compact footprint make it the premier choice for Flying Test Bed applications. When safety and performance are critical, CAPABLADE for FTB delivers unmatched confidence — at every altitude.