Astronautical engineering question

[21brewera]

Okay, I've been thinking about applying to USAFA. I've always been interested in joining the military and I've been wondering about jobs after you graduate.
If I major in astronautical engineering, can I be a flight test pilot, or do i need to major in aeronautical engineering? How about flight test engineer? I know there are a lot of requirement for both, but I was just wondering about the degree requirements.

 

[flieger83]

Any engineering major can apply to test pilot school. One of my good friends from my last cadet squadron was an Astro major...he was accepted to USAFTPS on his second application.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

 

[ussaX2]

Okay, I've been thinking about applying to USAFA. I've always been interested in joining the military and I've been wondering about jobs after you graduate.
If I major in astronautical engineering, can I be a flight test pilot, or do i need to major in aeronautical engineering? How about flight test engineer? I know there are a lot of requirement for both, but I was just wondering about the degree requirements.

Greetings 21brewera - Exciting news about USAFA and USAF TPS. There is a brand new pipe line being tested this year which is sending USAFA graduates directly to TPS. It ends up taking so long to get to TPS - that the usefulness of what is learned is often lost as these leaders are often picked up shortly after graduation for command slots.

Last year two Astro grads were selected to go TPS directly after doing there first masters program out of USAFA class of ‘19. The final selection to TPS was just confimed a couple weeks ago for these two 2nd Lt’s. My DD happens to be one of these selected for the new pipeline and will be going in as a systems engineer. I am not able to speak to the “pilot” end of TPS as our only experience (and both that were selected this year) are Astro Systems Engineer students.

So... Astro program will certainly point you in that direction - and BTW, it was not all grades based - in my opinion, and after talking with almost all the decision makers in the USAFA Astro program - it was and is so much more to do with attitude, and hard hard work put in. DD was definitely not top of class academically, but had the whole package of great attitude, hard work, calm demeanor, forthright and willing to learn.

Very best of luck to you!!!