PTERA exists to bridge the gap between wind tunnel test and manned flight. The platform is a low-cost, low risk intermediary for evaluating and refining technologies and analytical prediction methods before transitioning to full scale flight testing. PTERA uses modular tooling to accommodate a wide variety of aircraft configurations that reduces platform costs. PTERA aims to provide a versatile flying laboratory to test aerodynamic treatments, and to support and validate experiments in aero-efficiency, aeroelasticity, controls and dynamics, health management systems, structures, and acoustics. PTERA features a large payload capacity for sensors, flight data acquisition systems, and flight experiment support equipment.