Test Pilot / Flight Test Engineer Professional Course

Course Description

 

The Professional Course is the ultimate in flight test education. Graduates of this 50 week course are prepared to perform envelope expansion, civil certification, and military suitability flights meeting FAA/EASA certification or military specifications. This course is designed to equip experienced pilots and engineers with the knowledge and practical experience to certify new or modified aircraft to stringent FAR/EASA/Military certification standards and to recommend the aircraft for specific military missions. This is not a basic flight training course. It is an intense academic and flying curriculum designed to produce world class test pilots and flight test engineers and to meet EASA Cat I requirements.

 
The course is structured in two phases: The Systems Phase begins in January and the Performance and Flying Qualities Phase begins in July. Students may join the course either in January (‘A’ Class) or July (‘B’ Class).  All students start with a three-week module of general topics and then join the applicable phase. Course subjects are taught in modular form, generally one week of academics followed by 1-3 weeks of flight demonstrations, test planning, data collection and analysis, and reporting. The course modules are listed below:

 

Core Modules

Systems Modules

P&FQ Modules


Degree

The National Test Pilot School is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission to award the Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering, the Master of Science in Flight Test and Evaluation, and numerous course certificates.  These degrees and certificates are also approved by the State of California's Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.  The Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering program is also accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Pre-requisites

Pilots: A minimum of 750 hours of pilot-in-command time and a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent military academy)  in math, science, engineering or related field plus medically qualified to perform flight duties.

 

Engineers: A bachelor’s degree in math, science or engineering (or equivalent military academy) plus medically qualified to perform flight duties.

 

All Students: English language proficiency is required as all courses are taught in English. Non-native English speakers must pass a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).