So if you are building an original design structure of some kind, wings, for instance, is it common practice to build a test sample first, then take it all the way to failure? I recall seeing pictures of many of the Rutan designs upside down and loaded up with sandbags as their owners verified the structure before flight. Obviously, these were tested to some percentage of calculated failure, but not damaged. Eventually, these designs became common and their structural properties were proven through years of use, so I'm pretty sure most Long Ezes were not sandbagged before flight. With that said, I'd sure like to know how well a new design holds up. With something simple like a horizontal stabilizer, failure of a test piece represents a fairly small investment, but a wing, now that's a different story.
What is the accepted method of verification for a "one off"?
What is the accepted method of verification for a "one off"?
