Medium Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 7; Flight Crew Total 4323; Flight Crew Type 2.3
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types
Flight Crew Exited Penetrated Airspace
Human Factors
Airspace Violation of Training Area [block]. During a flight loads survey test mission; the test Aircraft X and chase Aircraft Y were cleared to maneuver in the Training Area [block] and assigned an altitude block of FL330-360.While conducting a half rudder pedal deflection wings level steady sideslip; the aircraft was heading north toward the northern border of the assigned airspace. The test point was to be conducted at Mach 0.78 (Mmo). While the Pilot Flying (PF) was stabilizing the aircraft speed prior to the half pedal input release; the test point was extended and the aircraft position approached the northern border of the assigned airspace. As soon as the test point was terminated; the PF entered a left-hand turn. During the turn; the aircraft exited the Training Area [block] northern border. Center advised the formation of the airspace violation.Contributing Factors: The Mmo test point resulted in the aircraft approaching the airspace boundary more rapidly than previous test points. The initial turn radius was also larger than previous test points due to the increased speed. Winds aloft adversely effected the aircraft ground track during the test maneuver and the subsequent recovery (winds aloft 250/95kts). During the test maneuver; the yet to be certified avionics high speed warning was activated. This contributed to reducing the level of effective communication on the flight deck. Flight Test Engineers made several 'airspeed' calls while the Pilot Monitoring (PM) made two 'airspace' calls during the extended test point. Once the test point was terminated; the PM recommended an immediate hard left hand turn but during the turn; the airspace violation occurred.Corrective Actions: The importance of airspace adherence will be reinforced during the next Safety Stand-down. The cockpit audio will be reviewed to serve as a training aid to other Test Pilots and Flight Test Engineers of the dynamic nature of operating at the edges of the flight envelope in confined airspace. The importance of ensuring adequate aircraft position prior to test point entry will be reinforced to all members of the Test Team. The adverse effects of atmospheric conditions will also be reinforced to all members of the Test Team. The selective use of avionics aural muting switches will be discussed for Vmo/Mmo test points to increase the level of effective communication on the flight deck.
Medium Large Transport First Officer reported flying outside the boundaries of the training area during a flight test.