CEV pilots must undertake exhaustive checks on new aircraft and those returning from maintenance to ensure they are safe and that they meet the required standard set out in contracts. A single-seat Rafale C106 manoeuvres hard at the end of an acceptance sortie with the CEV's Chief Test Pilot, Lt Col Fabrice Dougnac, at the controls.

French Air Force C-130s undergo maintenance at OGMA’s facility at Alverca in Portugal. CEV personnel come here to check the work has been done to a satisfactory level and meets contractual requirements.

Orange flight suits betray the presence of CEV aircrews aboard this Tigre at the end of an acceptance sortie. Four such sorties are made in order to check the safety of the helicopter and its systems. In addition, one in every ten Tigres is tested at night and in the rain to ensure production quality is maintained.

CEV personnel carry out acceptance testing for overseas customers which have contracts with French companies. In 2006, this testing included upgraded Mirage 5SDEs for Egypt and Royal Saudi Naval Forces AS.532 Cougars.

Pictured is a French Army EC725 hovering near Istres while carrying out engine tests. The CEV flies three acceptance sorties, in addition to the 17 hours of flight testing carried out by the manufacturer, Eurocopter.

Rafale B314 dives to low-level to test the terrain-following system.