Originally Posted by
Wig Wag
Can someone please explain why he would do this?
I presume you mean 'why would he ask if he could hold onto his clearance if he went to China for a year or two?'
If he was planning on returning to test flying new military aircraft for the manufacturer or for weapon system trials, he would need at minimum an SC clearance. If you're a civilian test pilot in the defence industry, loss of security clearance would close off all opportunities.