Shawn- Question about NTPS
Hello Shawn,
I am a former Grumman FTE, turned police helicopter pilot. My true love lies in flight test. I hold a BSAE and I am finishing up a masters degree in Aviation Systems Flight Testing through the University of Tennessee Space Institute.
My goal is to finish out my police flying career in the next 6-7 years and hopefully secure a test pilot position elsewhere. I have my hand in some flight testing projects part-time, just to feed my desire and keep sharp as I advance my education.
Knowing the expense involved in the full professional test pilot course offered at NTPS, I was hoping to, at the very least, put myself through their masters degree program, with some help from my job's tuition reimbursement.
I have two questions.
First, how feasible and/or practical would it be for me to take the courses as individual modules spread out over a few years? (I live in NY, so I'd be taking time off a few weeks at a time to complete 1-2 modules at a time).
Second, with the masters completed, is there any possibility of getting the flight portion of the curriculum accomplished in the future, as part of a custom program? If so, would there be a cost savings that might make it more likely for a company to agree to send me? If not, what other options might I have to acquire at least some of the flight training?
Any insight is greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Frank Lombardi