ETPS / Edwards TP Cse
 

Hi there,
I was wondering if any of you guys had been based at Edwards for the TP cse and knew anything about what the cse is like and what the on-base families quarters are like?
Any hints and tips on the ETPS interview would also be helpful? What should I read up on on top of AP3456?
Ta

There from 90-95
 

I went to USAF TPS in class 90B, started in July 1990.

Great course, lots of work, but great flying.

As to housing, I think it is much improved. Unless your wife wants to work off base, base housing may be the best option.

Towns near Edwards are a bit basic. Plenty of great Mexican food!

Feel free to PM me.

If he hasn't PM'd you already, ask John Farley !

He described Edwards as ' Test Pilot heaven ' or words to that effect, though I wouldn't take the film ' The Right Stuff ' too seriously, virtually everything in it was B.S...Good luck and enjoy.

There from 05-09
 

The old housing stock on-base has been undergoing replacement with modern housing over the past couple of years. Off-base, Palmdale / Lancaster have plenty of properties for rent if you are happy with a 45min commute. A bit further away, Tehachapi is now also a popular area with Edwards personnel for reasons such as a less harsh climate and less crime. Having said that we lived in SW. Palmdale and loved it.

Try giving 206 Sqn at Boscombe a call as at least one of their current TPs is an Edwards graduate.

Cheers

3456 Vol A Fixed Wing Principles of Flight
Engineering Maths by Ken Stroud - to get your head around that kind of stuff again.
Intro to JSP 556 which explains the system of UK mil test flying regulation.
JSP 553 is worth a scan to give you an idea of the UK airworthiness requirements.
Flying controls section of your own aircrew manual.
If you are a J guy from Lyneham (as opposed to a TriStar mate who just happens to live nearby) then have a good understanding of the development history of your own aircraft.
Flight International so you have a clue what is going on in the Aerospace world.
Have a realistic idea of what you will be going to do when you graduate from Edwards.
Really really understand why you want to do this - because some of it is going to be mindnumbingly painful................but worth it.
Most important tip is to visit 206 and ETPS and understand what you are getting into and to steal all the tips that you can from recent graduates and the tutors.
Interviews are not looking for trained test pilots or FTEs but people who are suitable for training. No BS and be prepared to think logically on your feet.
The above is a long list which you are not going to complete in any kind of depth. Do what you can in the time available - some of the questions will certainly probe areas that you don't have the first clue about, just to see how you think.