Drop testing can be performed only during light winds (typically 10 miles per hour or less) and dry conditions. Weather or aircraft mechanical problems often delay the drop test. Delays may be needed to catch up on chores such as removing lids from cups that have already been weighed, drying wet cups for reuse, removing grease pencil marks from lids, placing dried cups and cleaned lids into empty boxes, or general cleanup of the weighing area (figure 9). During long tests, the entire test team may need a day off.

Figure 9—Cups from water or foam drops can be stacked pyramid
style to dry before being used again.