Becoming a test pilot?
Guest
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Becoming a test pilot?
I am a wannabee airline(?) pilot. But I love the idea of being a test pilot. I am currently saving money for a PPL course and I am also glider training.
Could somebody please tell me what is required to become a test pilot.
Thanks.
Darren
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We are pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry... Unfortunately none of them are on this flight
Could somebody please tell me what is required to become a test pilot.
Thanks.
Darren
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We are pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry... Unfortunately none of them are on this flight
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi Darren,
If you are planning on going into military flying, the UK services have a yearly selection round for TPs - the minima are 700hrs P1, 2 tours as Captain and an above average rating (a grading which is a classic piece of British Understatement). I think most other countries have a similar approach - there was a chap on my Syndicate on ETPS from the USN who was given a choice of TPS or Top-Gun. The TPS course itself is a vicious piece of ritual torture lasting about 1 year, but leaving you knowing far more about aeroplanes than you thought there was to know.
In the civil sector, there's no straightforward route (other than being an ex military TP), but most people who find themselves in test flying are experienced high ability pilots, who have also got a very good technical background (the ideal would probably be a qualified avionics technician who's also got a degree in aeronautical engineering).
But, the bottom line is that nobody trains and goes straight into flight testing - it's something that comes after a lot of other experience. However, those who make it often go through their early careers with a firm eye on that possibility.
I hope that helps, but by all means ask more specific questions if I (or other silent presences lurking around Pprune) can help.
G
If you are planning on going into military flying, the UK services have a yearly selection round for TPs - the minima are 700hrs P1, 2 tours as Captain and an above average rating (a grading which is a classic piece of British Understatement). I think most other countries have a similar approach - there was a chap on my Syndicate on ETPS from the USN who was given a choice of TPS or Top-Gun. The TPS course itself is a vicious piece of ritual torture lasting about 1 year, but leaving you knowing far more about aeroplanes than you thought there was to know.
In the civil sector, there's no straightforward route (other than being an ex military TP), but most people who find themselves in test flying are experienced high ability pilots, who have also got a very good technical background (the ideal would probably be a qualified avionics technician who's also got a degree in aeronautical engineering).
But, the bottom line is that nobody trains and goes straight into flight testing - it's something that comes after a lot of other experience. However, those who make it often go through their early careers with a firm eye on that possibility.
I hope that helps, but by all means ask more specific questions if I (or other silent presences lurking around Pprune) can help.
G
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I get asked this question a lot. The best advice I can give is to go get an Engineering degree (preferably either Aero or Mech). All test pilots I fly with are engineers and have come up to the Test Pilot ranks from one of two ways.
1) Get an engineering degree and join the military. Fly routine military stuff for a while (years) and then go to a Test Pilot School. From there do some military testing and then join the civilian ranks.
2) Get an engineering degree and join an aerospace company. Work on your PPL, IR, CPL, ATP with the profits from your highly paid engineering job (Hee, hee ..). Transfer into the flight test department as an FTE. Work with and impress the Test Pilots (will take several years). Get lucky and get selected to fill a vacant production test pilot position. Do that for several years. Impress the Engineering Test Pilots. Get lucky and get selected to fill a vacant engineering test pilot position.
I'm not saying these are the only ways to get a test pilot's job but in my company, most pilots got to their current positions by Method (1) or (2) and the break down is about 50/50 which I initially found very surprising. Either way it will take a long time - you need the experience as well as the skill.
[This message has been edited by sets (edited 31 October 1999).]
1) Get an engineering degree and join the military. Fly routine military stuff for a while (years) and then go to a Test Pilot School. From there do some military testing and then join the civilian ranks.
2) Get an engineering degree and join an aerospace company. Work on your PPL, IR, CPL, ATP with the profits from your highly paid engineering job (Hee, hee ..). Transfer into the flight test department as an FTE. Work with and impress the Test Pilots (will take several years). Get lucky and get selected to fill a vacant production test pilot position. Do that for several years. Impress the Engineering Test Pilots. Get lucky and get selected to fill a vacant engineering test pilot position.
I'm not saying these are the only ways to get a test pilot's job but in my company, most pilots got to their current positions by Method (1) or (2) and the break down is about 50/50 which I initially found very surprising. Either way it will take a long time - you need the experience as well as the skill.
[This message has been edited by sets (edited 31 October 1999).]
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When I was a 22 year old RAE engineering apprentice I wanted to be a test pilot too. I made such a sufficient nuisance of myself to all and sundry that I got a invited (back in 1955) to see the then Commandant of ETPS. The great man of the day, Gp Capt Sammy Wroath (who was actually the first ever Commandant of the school when it was formed and the only chap brought back for a second tour in the post) started by asking me why I wanted to be a test pilot.
After we had dealt with that question and some others about what technical qualifications I would have at the end of my apprenticeship he said “You seem to be just the sort of chap we like to have on the course – but you will have to go away and learn to fly first.” OK I thought, I will get the RAF to teach me. It took me eight more years to get on the course.
So, if I can do it perhaps you can too – but think hard about your answer to that question.
If you want more of my views send your answer to [email protected]
PS I agree with everything Genghis said to you
After we had dealt with that question and some others about what technical qualifications I would have at the end of my apprenticeship he said “You seem to be just the sort of chap we like to have on the course – but you will have to go away and learn to fly first.” OK I thought, I will get the RAF to teach me. It took me eight more years to get on the course.
So, if I can do it perhaps you can too – but think hard about your answer to that question.
If you want more of my views send your answer to [email protected]
PS I agree with everything Genghis said to you
