This paper describes the development of an automated flight test management system (ATMS) as a component of a rapid-prototyping flight research facility for M-based flight systems concepts. The ATMS provides a flight test engineer (FTE) with a set of tools that assist in flight test planning, monitoring and simulation. This system is also capable of controlling an aircraft during flight test by performing closedloop guidance functions, range management, and maneuver-quality monitoring. The ATMS is being used as the prototypicai system to develop a flight research facility for M-based flight systems concepts at NASA Ames-Dryden.