Aerospace

Aerospace Vibration, Dynamics & Environmental Testing

We help aerospace teams deliver reliable, lightweight equipment by solving vibration and structural dynamics issues early, correlating models to test, and navigating DO-160 / MIL-STD-810 environments with confidence.

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What we deliver

Structural dynamics & FEA

Eigenvalue analysis, mode shape manipulation, sensitivity/optimisation, and test–analysis correlation to ensure predictive models for lightweight design.

Structural Dynamics FEA

Environmental testing support

Plan and support DO-160 / MIL-STD-810 vibration, shock, acoustic noise, temperature, humidity, and combined environments; define dwell levels and margins.

Vibration testing

Vibration mitigation & reliability

Mitigate resonance, reduce stress, and improve fatigue life via targeted stiffness/mass changes, isolation, and damping—validated by modal/strain testing.

Vibration Control

Certification readiness

Requirements definition, test matrices, instrumentation, data correlation, and evidence-led reporting to de-risk certification delays.

Regulatory compliance

Typical aerospace problems we solve

  • Equipment resonance in qualification (sine/random), high response at mounting frequencies.
  • Bracket/instrument cracking, connector failures, and short bearing life under vibration.
  • Poor correlation between FEA and modal/ODS results; need for model updating.
  • Weight-driven redesigns that risk performance or durability.
  • Acoustic noise (turbulent/engine) driving panel vibration and fatigue.
  • Shock survivability (handling/pyro-like events) and transport environments.
  • Test plan gaps causing late re-test or certification slippage.
  • Thermal–mechanical interactions affecting stiffness and modal separation.

Our approach

  1. Define requirements → environments, margins, interfaces, and constraints.
  2. Measure → modal/ODS, strain, accelerometry; boundary condition characterisation.
  3. Analyse & model → FEA, sensitivity, optimisation; parameter updating to match test.
  4. Refine → geometry and fixation, isolation/damping, mass/stiffness tuning.
  5. Validate → correlation, re-test, and audit-ready documentation.

Standards & compliance

We work within aerospace standards and client procedures, including RTCA/DO-160 and MIL-STD-810 for environmental testing, alongside BS/EN/ISO methods where relevant. We adopt customer templates to streamline internal approvals.

Need another standard? We routinely integrate additional programme or OEM specs on request.
Regulatory compliance

Related case studies

Falcon 7X equipment qualification

Multi-environment RTCA/DO-160 testing (vibration, shock, temperature, humidity, sand/dust) with design refinements for robust compliance.

Sikorsky CH-53K contactor endurance during vibration

Mode shape manipulation and isolation strategy to meet vibration endurance without weight penalty; correlated to modal analysis and testing.

About the Author

Paul Schmitz, CEng MIMechE MIoA

Paul Schmitz is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with over 17 years of aerospace experience in verification and validation testing. He has worked on qualification programmes for 14 different aircraft types, with a particular focus on vibration testing—the area where most equipment designs struggle to pass first time.

He has supported major programmes including the Airbus A350, Boeing 787, Eurofighter, Dassault Falcon 7X, and Sikorsky CH-53K. His strength lies not only in testing, but in problem-solving during qualification—making targeted design improvements that turn borderline or failing results into successful certifications, often without weight penalties or costly redesigns.

His experience directly underpins the services offered by Mechanical Engineering Consultants Ltd— from vibration and environmental testing support and vibration control to finite element analysis and certification readiness. Clients benefit from aerospace-level problem-solving applied to their projects, ensuring designs not only meet standards but achieve first-time qualification.

Learn more about the Director

Get in touch

Facing a vibration or qualification risk? We’ll define environments, correlate models, and close with evidence.