Test Pilots

[Mobius]

Hey, I was wondering if anyone could help me out on this one...

I am assuming aerospace companies like boeing and cessna and other airplane manufacturers have their own company test pilots.  I was wondering how one would go about becoming one of those pilots.  I can't join the airforce because I can't see without my glasses so I decided to look into becoming a test pilot.  I am currently working on a degree in Mechanical Engineering and I plan on going to flight school after college to become ATP certified.  What else if anything should I try for?

Thanks in advance...

[ozzy72]

To the best of my knowledge nowadays they're all ex-military pilots who have passed a test pilots school such as the ones run by the RAF or USAF...

[chomp_rock]

Three words: Experience, Experience, Experience! You'll need at lease 1,000 hours flight experience to be hired as a test pilot, as well as being able to pass the said test pilot courses. I don't think you'll be able to do it if you don't do something about your eyes unfortunately. Maybe contacts, laser surgery (which I'm getting next week) or those new lenses that they implant in your eyes.

[beaky]

I'm pretty sure mfr. test pilots are hired from the civilian pool, too, nowadays... some might even be freelancers. Unlike the military, I think you can get an ATP if you wear corrective lenses. Another interesting job is being a line instructor or type instructor- mostly it's sim time, but they get to fly the heavies without necessarily living the gypsy-like life of an airline pilot (they aren't all from the airline pilot ranks, either).
 Also, with a mechanical background and an ATP, you'd be a good prospect for a charter or timeshare job flying smaller jets. They like to have pilots who can also do maintenance, and that's a growing portion of the aviation market, unlike the airlines, who are all looking at uncertain times ahead. But like the airline pilot, they're on the road a lot, which has its bad as well as good points.
In general, I'd suggest acquiring as many skills and certifications as you can, including something non-aviation- related, just in case.

[Mobius]

hey, thanks guys

I was just wondering, I heard that if you get laser surgery it weakens your eye walls, then if you pull too many negative g's all the blood rushes to your head and you would normally red out because the blood vessels in your eyes expand, but because your eye wall was weakened your eyes explode or bleed or something .  I don't know if that is true, I was just wondering.

[ozzy72]

There is an alternative to laser eye surgery which is a simple procedure (can't remember its name) where they make a small incision and adjust the eyeball, much safer, and quicker to recover from. And of course it doesn't damage the blood vessels

[C]

As Ozzy said most TPs come from military backgrounds. The main reason for this is of course that most TP schools are run by the military (eg ETPS, USNTPS), hence they will fill the intake with their own pilots. Hence you will find fast jet TPs are almost without exception military or ex-military.

On the civil jet side their is often a mix. Most again will have military backgrounds, but some will come from civvy street, although the cases that I've heard of this they worked their way through the company (British Aerospace in this case). I think this is really because it is so expensive to send a pilot on a recognised TP course - there is no benefit for the airlines for example to send any of their pilots...

Charlie

[Rocket_Bird]

[quote]hey, thanks guys

I was just wondering, I heard that if you get laser surgery it weakens your eye walls, then if you pull too many negative g's all the blood rushes to your head and you would normally red out because the blood vessels in your eyes expand, but because your eye wall was weakened your eyes explode or bleed or something .

[Hagar]

Charlie will probably be able to answer this. I seem to remember the previous RAF Harrier display pilot wore glasses. His name escapes me right now I think his first name was Dave. I remember he was a senior weapons instructor on the Harrier. Not sure where he was based or which type of Harrier.

PS. Strangely enough Red Arrow David Slow would fit the bill but the name doesn't ring a bell. http://www.bbc.co.uk/guernsey/content/articles/2004/09/03/red_arrows_pilots_feature.shtml

[jknight8907]

Most are military pilots, but there's a civil school called the National Test Pilot School. You can find them here: www.ntps.com

[chomp_rock]

I have pretty much decided on lasik since it was the most readily available. I could get the lens implants but I couldn't get it before September. I want to get the surgery before my next trip overseas, I'm going to South Africa to visit some family members in June and want it before then. If the opertunity to get the implants becomes available before June I will take it, but the way things look it will not. Most of my friends think I should cancel my appointment and wait for the implants. I have until thursday of next week to make my final decision.

[C]

Most are military pilots, but there's a civil school called the National Test Pilot School. You can find them here: www.ntps.com

Unfortunately you will have departed with 2 arms and both legs by the time you could finish this course. 2 hrs in their Draken would set you back around $17,000, so a years worth of course would be a wee bit steep.

However, you don't have to be a TP to do test flying - it depends on what you are doing.

Strangely enough Red Arrow David Slow would fit the bill but the name doesn't ring a bell.

It rings a bell with me - he was RAF Harrier display dude from 20 Sqn last year or the year before, or both! The RAF's rule on eyesight is fairly clear - nigh on perfect when you join, but deterioration after this is natural and hence expected.

My personal advice on Lasik - wear glasses - I haven't heard of the long term effects of the treatment, and until I have, I would prefer the specs. Also you never know, even if people are happy to accept people with the treatment now, they may not in the future. For anyone considering a flying career in the UK forces DO NOT go near it.


Charlie.

[Craig.]

I have heard many horror stories about laser eye surgery. The most common, being good results for a few months and then the persons sight degenerates to its original state, and in some cases alot worse. and at

[Hagar]

Please listen to Charlie & think very carefully about this operation. I don't want to scare anyone but this could mess up your eyesight & your future career. Aiming at test pilot is all very well but there are plenty of other opportunities in aviation. I know plenty of commercial pilots who wear glasses while flying. I don't think most of the current test pilots would have started out with that ambition. The major companies are in a postition to choose who they want & there are plenty of experienced candidates to pick from.

PS. I found out that David Slow is the pilot who ejected from a Harrier at the 2002 Lowestoft Air Show. I'm pleasantly surprised to see that not only is he still flying jets but as a member of the Reds. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2168921.stm
I'm sure this isn't the chap I was thinking of. I read an article about him once & I think he hailed from Bournemouth or somewhere down your way Charlie. He was also a member of the ATC.

PPS. Oops. I read the article again & found out I was wrong. Not David Slow at all. Still, it's an interesting story.

[C]

PS. I found out that David Slow is the pilot who ejected from a Harrier at the 2002 Lowestoft Air Show. I'm pleasantly surprised to see that not only is he still flying jets but as a member of the Reds. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2168921.stm

Strange - where did it say Dave Slow crashed at Lowestoft - that was Tony Cann, who I believe got a bit of stick for the crash, as well as a broken ankle.

You're right about Dave Slow though. He was Harrier display pilot in 03, and joined the Reds in 04. I was wrong about last year thought - that was a chap called Chris Margiotta flying the Harrier display...

On the subject of displays - have you ever seen the "Yakovlevs" display team. I hope that they'll be at Old Warden in May.  I flew with one of their pilots the other day. Yakovlevs

Charlie