The National Flying Laboratory Centre (NFLC) operates Cranfield’s aircraft, including the flying engineering laboratory, a facility virtually unique in the European academic sector and used to support teaching, research and consultancy.
More than 1,200 aeronautical students from over 20 universities fly in our unique SAAB 340B Flying Classroom and Laboratory each year as part of their degree course. This fully-instrumented aircraft supplies passengers with real-time data about a range of performance parameters, allowing students to become flight test engineers during their flight.
We have two further aircraft which are used for hands-on flying experience for our postgraduate students and to help inspire future generations of aeronautical engineers.
The NFLC’s remit extends to research and consultancy for a wide range of organisations. We offer consultancy services to major corporations, as well as more specialist companies. Our capabilities include:
- Flight trials of customers’ experimental equipment;
- Measurement and analysis of an aircraft’s characteristics for use in future airborne equipment.
