Langley Wind Tunnel data quality assurance - Check standard results

A framework for statistical evaluation, control and improvement of wind tunnel measurement processes is presented. The methodology is adapted from elements of the Measurement Assurance Plans developed by the National Bureau of Standards (now the National Institute of Standards and Technology) for standards and calibration laboratories. The present methodology is based on the notions of statistical quality control (SQC) together with check standard testing a small number of customer repeat-run sets. The results of check standard and customer repeat-run sets are analyzed using the statistical control chart methods of Walter A. Shewhart long familiar to the SQC community. Control chart results are presented for various measurement processes in five facilities at Langley Research Center. The processes include test section calibration, force and moment measurements with a balance, and instrument calibration.