The Aircraft of British Aerospace and BAE SYSTEMS 1977 - 2017 107EAP to EurofightEr tyPhoon
Flight trials
Rolled out on 16 April 1986, the single
EAP ZF534, piloted by Dave Eagles, made
its maiden flight on 8 August and
unusually for such an event reached
Mach 1.1 at 30,000ft. It then achieved 20
flights in the subsequent 17 days and was
cleared to Mach 1.4 and 39,000ft. Then it
was flown to Farnborough where it
impressed the crowds. The EAP’s flight
envelope was gradually expanded and in
June the flowing year it was
demonstrated at the Paris Air Show
during which it made its 100th flight. On
its return from France it was flown by
MBB, Aeritalia and RAF pilots. David Eagles
commented that the EAP was a delight to
fly and with the addition of a weapons
system would have been an excellent
fighter.
In 1989 the EAP was fitted with a
Eurofighter type single airbrake in support
of its development. This was fixed and
could only be altered when the aircraft
was on the ground. It was tested at
various incidences up to speeds of Mach
0.9. On 1 May 1991 ZF534 made its final
flight and was stored at Warton. It had
completed 259 test sorties totalling
195.21 flying hours, during which it had
reached speeds of Mach 2.1 and angles of
attack of over 35⁰ in controlled flight. It is
now on display at the RAF Museum
Cosford.
The EAP proved an invaluable research
tool which saved a considerable amount
time and money which would otherwise The EAP (Experimental Aircraft Programme) ZF534 was built to demonstrate full authority digital fly-by-wire, unstable canard delta configuration, electronic
cockpit design, digital engine control, composite materials and stealth. It made its maiden flight on 8 August 1986. (BAE SYSTEMS North West Heritage)
A stunning photo of ZF534 carrying the number 203 for its appearance in the flying display at the 1987 Paris
Air Show. (BAE SYSTEMS North West Heritage)