HÜRKUŞ’s Dangerous Dance: A Milestone in Flight Testing

The HÜRKUŞ, a next-generation training aircraft developed and manufactured by TUSAŞ - Turkish Aerospace Industries, has reached a critical phase in its ongoing flight testing process.

After its first flight on August 29, 2013, the HÜRKUŞ has undergone extensive testing under normal flight conditions. Recently, the testing phase has moved on to a more complex and risky stage—testing for "spin" (an abnormal flight condition) and recovery techniques from such dangerous situations, taking place at TUSAŞ's facilities in Ankara Akıncı.

During these tests, the aircraft is intentionally flown out of normal conditions by test pilots to induce abnormal flight scenarios, specifically the "spin" maneuvers, with over 500 abnormal situations to be tested. The process aims to identify safe recovery techniques for the aircraft in such high-risk conditions.

To ensure safety during these tests, a special "spin recovery parachute" was attached to the tail of the HÜRKUŞ to secure both the aircraft and its pilot.

On January 20, 2016, the first spin tests took place. The HÜRKUŞ's "dangerous dance" with the clouds was closely monitored from the TUSAŞ Telemetry Center and through cameras mounted on the aircraft. The TC-VCH (first HÜRKUŞ aircraft) engaged in this critical test while TC-VCI (the second HÜRKUŞ) performed close monitoring from the air.

As anticipated, the tests were successfully completed, and they will be repeated in different configurations and conditions in the upcoming flight tests.