Genghis,
There have been some very good, informed replies made on this thread. Therefore, I am appalled that you, as a moderator, should make flippant, derogatory comments such as:
"....whatever the ETPS/EPNER Mafia will have you believe....".
That was very unprofessional, especially on this forum, and I feel that you need to justify yourself and present the data that supports this conclusion!!!
For those who have no knowledge of ETPS, they do not train, nor never have trained, pilots specifically for Production Flight Tests. Their Graduate course trains experimental test pilots and flight test engineers, and selects people for the course based on their experience and ability. I can assure you that the same philosophy and process would apply at ETPS to training crews for any form of flight test activity. I believe that EPNER did, at one time, run a course in training flight test crews to perform post production flight test although I am not sure if they still do. Perhaps someone could comment, and on the fact that their attitude towards this training was very professional, without any of the prejudice that you imply.
Out of interest, ETPS do run a groundschool only course for the UK Services on Post Maintenance Flight Testing, and this is recognised as a separate skill from experimental flight test. In fact, Boscombe Down has specific named pilots for performing post maintenance flight tests on its own aircraft, as many of the test pilots who carry out the experimental flight test work do not have the in depth experience on type that is required for performing such checks.
Flight test revolves around integrity and supportable opinions. Can this forum stick to those principles please, especially by the moderators!!!!
Last edited by LOMCEVAK; 9th October 2003 at 21:49.