Independent flight test & evaluation

Aviation advisory services and operational support for aerospace and defence programmes

Objective technical judgement

Built on decades of flight test, operational and programme delivery success

Extensive expertise across the full aviation lifecycle

Supporting defence, government and industry customers with operational insight and flight test leadership

Xplor Aviation provides independent flight test & evaluation, aviation advisory services and operational aviation support to defence, aerospace, government and commercial organisations developing, operating and sustaining aviation capability.

From strategic planning and capability development through to flight test execution and operational support, we provide trusted expertise at all levels.

Why Xplor Aviation?

Xplor Aviation combines independent technical judgement, operational credibility and exceptional flight test & evaluation expertise to help customers solve complex aviation challenges with confidence.

Few organisations can match the breadth and depth of experience that underpins Xplor Aviation. Our expertise has been developed through decades of supporting military, civil and developmental aviation programmes.

From aircraft development and certification to operational evaluation, capability enhancement and service entry, we help customers reduce programme risk, make informed technical decisions and deliver successful aviation outcomes. We support organisations throughout the aviation lifecycle, providing practical, objective and evidence-based solutions tailored to each programme.

Experience at a glance

  • 40+ Years
    Military, civil & developmental aviation
  • 50+ Aircraft Types
    Rotary-wing, fixed-wing & Uncrewed Air Systems
  • 20+ Countries
    Operational & developmental flying worldwide
  • Thousands
    Flight trials and operational sorties
  • End-to-End Lifecycle
    Concept to operational capability
  • Independent Expertise
    Defence, industry & government

Flight Test Leadership

Leadership of complex military and civil flight test programmes, from aircraft development and certification through to operational evaluation and service introduction.

Independent Assessment

Independent and technical assessment, evidence-based reporting and objective advice to support programme decisions, risk reduction and capability development.

Operational Credibility

Extensive real-world operational flying experience spanning military, commercial and developmental aviation across all environments for rotary wing, uncrewed air systems and emerging aviation platforms ensuring practical and operationally relevant solutions.

Representative Programme Highlights

The following examples demonstrate the breadth of experience and technical capabilities that underpin Xplor Aviation. Whilst respecting customer confidentiality, they illustrate the type of challenges we help customers solve and the outcomes we support.

Bringing New Aircraft into Service

Challenge
Support the end-to-end development, flight test and certification of a new rotary-wing aircraft, progressing from early development flying through to military certification and operational release.

Role
Provided technical leadership, flight test, and evaluation expertise throughout the programme, supporting aircraft and systems development and evaluation, plus certification activities and operational capability development.

Outcome
Contributed to the successful certification and entry into service of a new aircraft capability, providing customers with a safe, effective and operationally credible platform.

Delivering Maritime Capability

Challenge
Expand the operational clearance of aircraft operating from multiple classes of warship in demanding maritime environments, including day, night and night vision device operations.

Role
Planned and conducted complex ship-air interface trials, progressively developing aircraft and ship operating envelopes while working closely with customers, operators and engineering teams.

Outcome
Delivered evidence supporting operational clearance and significantly enhanced maritime capability across a broad range of operating conditions.

Environmental Envelope Expansion

Challenge
Demonstrate aircraft performance and handling qualities in demanding high-altitude and high-temperature environments to maximise worldwide operational capability.

Role
Led detached overseas flight trials to evaluate aircraft performance, handling qualities and systems operation while progressively expanding the cleared flight envelope.

Outcome
Supported certification activities and enabled customers to confidently operate across challenging global environments.