Expansion of the South Korean T-50 Golden Eagle's flight envelope continues, with the aircraft reaching its operational ceiling of 40,000ft (12,200m) in November. During the flight, the pilot initially climbed to 35,000ft and, after ascending to 40,000ft, flutter, stability and control tests were performed at Mach 0.6. The two GE F404-102-powered T-50s in the flight-test programme have so far accumulated 24.1h since the maiden flight on 20 August. The T-50's afterburner was engaged in flight on 15 October and the first augmented take-off is set to take place shortly.
Source: Flight International
