Testing and Evaluation Course valuable to AEDC, its customers Published June 9, 2014 By Deidre Ortiz AEDC/PA ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. -- The Aeropropulsion Test and Evaluation (T&E) Short Course that Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) has been hosting since 2011 is beneficial to the Complex and its customers. For one, Aeropropulsion Test Branch Deputy Director Mike Dent said the course has "paid great dividends" in helping AEDC to build strong partnerships with its customers. The course is offered on a semiannual basis to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center engineers and program managers, engine model engineers and managers, Air Force Research Laboratory test engineers, Navy and Army testers and others. Engineers and program managers with the System Programs Office (SPO) and Tinker Air Force Base participated in the most recent T&E course held May 6-8. The three-day T&E course was developed in an effort to provide AEDC's external customers with an overview of the fundamental role and technical elements of turbine engine ground test and evaluation. It's aimed at educating the customer about the Complex's significant role in developing, sustaining and improving their weapon systems. During the course, participants receive a mix of classroom training as well as worksite visits on base including the high bay, test cells and control rooms. Past participants of the course have commented through anonymous surveys that they're grateful for the opportunity. Even those without a background in ground testing say they were able to comprehend the information provided and gain a better understanding of why ground testing is important. "The best part was seeing the experts and capabilities that AEDC possesses," one recent participant said in his or her course evaluation. The next T&E Short Course is scheduled tentatively for November 2014. For more course information call 454-3826.