David W. Schwartz

David W. Schwartz has been involved with experimental and certification flight-testing since 1983 with the Piper Aircraft Company. As the Chief of Engineering Flight Test he has the responsibility of overseeing Piper’s engineering and production flight test departments. During his career he has accomplished first flights on 6 Piper model aircraft. In July of 2008 he had the privilege of accomplishing the first flight of Piper’s single engine jet entry into the very light jet market, the Piper Jet. He has played a major roll on the Piper Jet program to correct longitudinal control issues associated with the high thrust line of the engine due to its location on the vertical tail. Since then, he has accomplished all envelope expansion testing, which has included; flutter, high angle of attack, stability and controllability and engine development.

He has lead the certification effort for several Piper models, in which he accomplished all stability and control, handling qualities, high angle of attack, flutter, spin testing and performance validation required for Federal Aviation Administration certification.

In the late 1980’s he worked closely with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration on the investigation of in-flight breakups of the popular Piper Malibu aircraft. During this investigation he accomplished all flight-testing required by the NTSB and FAA to prove the structural integrity of the Piper Malibu / Mirage. Testing consisted of check and un-checked maneuvers, autopilot validation, and aircraft pitch controllability due to longitudinal trim run away. Due to this flight- testing, the Piper Malibu / Mirage was shown to meet and exceed all structural requirements required by the Federal Aviation Administration.

When Piper Aircraft was working closely with international airlines to provide primary multi-engine trainers, a requirement to establish accelerate-go / stop procedures and performance information was required. Mr. Schwartz led a team to determine the safety impact and accomplished all testing to providing this information for a multi-engine aircraft with limited single engine climb capability.