Hi,
I'm looking for some advice on how to become a flight test engineer.
I'm 23 years old and I live in Belgium. I have a bachelor's and master's degree in electronic engineering (4 years in Belgium) and I'm currently getting my bachelor's degree in physics, after which I plan on getting a master's degree in astrophysics (additional 4 years).
Greetings Milan. I'll see if I can offer some useful thoughts - I've done the FTE thing and the PhD thing, and nowadays work as a research manager, occasional Test Pilot, and even more occasional FTE spanning airborne research and more traditional flight testing.
When I was studying electronics, I took some courses in avionics. Right now I'm taking courses in fluid dynamics and some elective courses in aerospace engineering.
I won't talk you out of working in flight testing, as in my opinion it's one of the most downright sexy dields of work in existence. You cannot possibly know too much about aeronautical engineering - take every possible elective .
After this I plan on getting my PhD in mechanical engineering, more specifically computational fluid dynamics and it's applications to aviation (this research group: Fluid mechanics ? Department of Flow, Heat and Combustion Mechanics ? Ghent University), during which I will get a master's degree in aerospace engineering through an online university (preferably Embry Riddle).
Right, here's where I think you're going off-piste a bit. A PhD is a useful qualifications in terms of the research skills it gives you - I really enjoyed mine and use the skillset most days.
However, don't muck about with fluid mechanics - I think that I know one person ever who has managed to get into flight testing from a PhD in fluid mechanics - and he had to do an ATPL as well to achieve that (plus it was experimental fluid mechanics, not CFD). If you are going to go the PhD route, you want to direct yourself towards something much more closely allied to the design and operation of aircraft. Basically either aircraft systems or flight mechanics. And make quite sure it's an experimental PhD, none of this mucking around with computer models - that won't get you into flight testing. [I managed to do my PhD in the development of flight test techniques - that worked particularly well, but I'd already done a number of years as an FTE, so it was much more possible than it might be for you.]
Also be aware that most people in industry don't know what a PhD is for, or what a PhD holder can do for them. So whilst the skills will be useful, the qualification itself is worth little in flight test.
All of this may seem like thinking pretty far ahead, but in Belgium this is possible. Studying is practically free and getting a PhD is a pretty well paid job. In addition, doctoral positions at the research group i mentioned are well within my grasp considering my current grades and a few talks I had with my professors. And getting an extra master through an online education during your PhD is also no exception lately.
I'm not convinced about MSc and PhD in parallel myself, I'd go MSc then PhD. But, if the system keeps paying you for long enough to get both at the same time, what the heck, do it !
But again - if you want to get into flight testing, you want an MSc with a real direction towards some combination of flying qualities, flight testing and/or aerospace systems.
I have my PPL and I'm in good shape.
Excellent - the more flying experience the better. Keep that up, think about a CPL.
Now I would like to become a flight test engineer. I assume this is possible with just an aerospace engineering degree and getting some experience. But I would like some formal training in this area. I have searched the internet and found a few schools. But I have no idea how, in practice, people get into these schools. I assume you have to be sponsored or be extremely rich.
Sponsored in most cases, but read on.
In particular I would like to know more about the Empire Test Pilot School's FTE program. How hard is it to get in? Would it be possible for someone with my qualifications? (assuming everything I mentioned went according to plan) How hard is it to complete the program once you are in?
Generally speaking, to get yourself through ETPS you need a generous government paying the bills. I don't know the current price of the ETPS FTE "long course", but I doubt very much you'd get any change from half a million Euros. Plus, it's basically a military establishment, geared up for that purpose.
I know ETPS is extremely competitive and the chances of me ever getting in are very small. I also know I can't get in on my own and need support and sponsoring from my government, employer or university. But I want to know how people actually get into this type of school. Also any career advice to push me in the right direction is very welcome.
Basically you'd need to be a commissioned officer in your country's military with the right technical specialisms, or working as a public servant for the military in a similar role.
Sorry for the long post, I didn't anticipate it would be this long.
Thanks in advance!
Now, having given you the bad news, I'll offer something more constructive.
For MSc programmes that genuinely major in flight test, in my opinion there are three good ones globally.
(1) National Test Pilots School, Mojave, CA, USA. Masters in Flight Test Engineering.
(2) Cranfield University, UK. MSc in Flight Dynamics.
(3) Madrid - I'm unsure of the details, but there's something going on there allied to the Airbus factory that looked promising when it was being set up a few years ago.
(There are some other US courses; I don't know enough to rate them, but would be suspicious unless I saw clear proof that the delivery is by proper grown-up flight testers, and it's not just a bit of bandwagon jumping.)
NTPS also run a 1-year long course, equivalent to the ETPS "long course" (most likely cheaper than ETPS, but much more expensive than any MSc), currently listing at $0.6m.
If you want to do an PhD directed to flight testing, you need an appropriate supervisor. I only really know the UK community but can think of three possible supervisors in UK universities - if you want their details PM me with your email address, but I'd rather not post them online without their permission. I can't think of any in Belgium; there will be some in the Netherlands at Delft / allied to NLR, Germany at institutions allied to DLR and probably France, but I'd struggle to tell you who they are exactly. Maybe also in Sweden at the University of Linkoping?
Have people made it into FTE work from a directly PhD? Yes - not many, but I know a few. I'm not, technically, one of them - as I was an FTE well before I did my PhD. But I'm a career oddball by all and any standards
A couple of other bits of advice
- Take out student membership of the Society of Flight Test Engineers
- Join either the AIAA or RAeS and involve yourself in their FT activities. In Belgium either is probably equally "local". Both if you have the cash and energy.
And, needless to say, best of luck.
G