USAFA Flight Test Engineer Pipeline

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AS2027

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www.usafa.edu

Want to fly without being a pilot? Here's how.

The Air Force Academy is a pipeline for the Air Force Test Pilot School (TPS). Two cadets share their experiences as flight engineers at TPS.
www.usafa.edu www.usafa.edu

Hey everyone! I wanted a little bit of clarification on what this program is, and what being a flight test engineer actually means.
 
An FTE participates in all aspects of testing and qualifying aircraft along with the components that are added to the platform. I served at Tyndall AFB as an Operational Test Manager and FTE. It was a great job allowing me as a non-pilot (as I am color bling) to participate and play an important role in the USAF. We defined the tests, conducted testing with the test pilots, collected the data and evaluated the results. Often, as an FTE, I would participate in the flights themselves running instruments and checking that all testing was completed. FTEs attend the Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB for advanced training and certification.
 
Flight test engineers develop test plans, manage test programs, analyze test data and write test reports. There are two sides to flight test - operational testing and developmental testing. Most FTEs are engaged on the developmental side where immature technologies and prototype weapons, airplanes, avionics and other systems are being tested against government requirements and specifications. The Air Force is unique in that many of the FTEs are uniformed where other services they are government civilians and sometimes contractors.

Interesting to see that it is available in small numbers to graduating cadets. The school is arduous and usually paired with a masters degree. Seems like they picked some pretty stellar candidates for the first opportunity.
 
So flight test engineers are different from test pilots? Do flight test engineers actually fly?
 
An FTE who is a 'pilot' is a called a test pilot. FTEs are non-pilots, but fly often with the testing that they are involved with as a team member.
 
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