Originally Posted by dangermouse
In the Flight Test world experience is the most valuable asset you can have.
I couldn't agree more. Tell it to the Management!
The recognised courses give one an immersion in, and exposure to, a wide breadth of experience in a concentrated form which would take years to achieve on the job, but until that has been consolidated by
depth of experience neither a tp or an FTE should sensibly be tasked to undertake the more challenging test programmes.
It's also very true that an effective test team is far more than the TP(s) and FTE(s), who won't be able to do it alone even for a fairly small job. They will, though, be responsible for setting the direction, efficiency and effectiveness of the programme.