How do I become a test pilot?

[Pépé le Pilot]

In France we have a long tradition of test pilots, from the very early 1900's, and more recently with Concorde (Andre Turcat was an airforce pilot), Dassault and Airbus. I know that the Airbus test pilots are civilians with a huge engineering background (as any Airbus pilot can tell...). The Dassault test pilots are either active military "on loan" from the French Navy and Air Force, or retired top pilots and they'll work on the Rafale and Falcon aircrafts.
There are not that many manufacturers these days, and the line to get in must be pretty long... Target the manufacturer you want to work for and start studying !

 

[inigo88]

Grow a big moustache and curse and spit a lot. And Beaman's. Don't forget the Beaman's.

At least I imagine.

"Hey Ridley you got any Beamans?"
"Yeah I might have me a stick."
"Well loan me some will ya? I'll pay you back later."
"Fair enough."

 

[Boris Badenov]

"You know even before you hit mach 1 she's gonna be mighty unforgivin on ya..."
"DO YOU HAVE ANY GUM OR DON'T YA?"

 

[inigo88]

"I think I done busted the canopy with ma head."

 

[granlistillo]

"Hey Ridley you got any Beamans?"
"Yeah I might have me a stick."
"Well loan me some will ya? I'll pay you back later."
"Fair enough."

You know I bought a pack of Beamans at World Market last year. Kinda a nostalgic retro thing, someone bought the rights to it. Tasted like wrigley's but man did I feel like a badass smacking that Beamans.

 

[Roger, Roger]

One of our regular posters who is a mil pilot has written a little about the mil test pilot school. As I recall, they basically have a whole fleet of old, unique aircraft which the students need to design and perform a test flight routine on using just the aircraft's operation manual. It sounds pretty awesome. Maybe one of the mil guys can chime in with more detail.

 

[Bumblebee]

raise the flaps in the flare.... (sorry had to do it!)

 

[Boris Badenov]

You know I bought a pack of Beamans at World Market last year. Kinda a nostalgic retro thing, someone bought the rights to it. Tasted like wrigley's but man did I feel like a badass smacking that Beamans.

Between Al Andalus and appreciating the finer points of "they were called...test pilots...and no one knew their names" (ok, maybe years of Service help too), I think you get to feel like a badass from time to time. <S>

Andalucia, 1917...such a splendid summer.

 

[WacoFan]

Every once in a while if you visit the Aviat website you will see an opening for a production test pilot. I always thought that would be a fun job - fly Husky's and Pitts as they role out of the factory. Also you can probably deliver them to new owners as well. I think it would be an awesome retirement job.

 

[braunpilot]

Every once in a while if you visit the Aviat website you will see an opening for a production test pilot. I always thought that would be a fun job - fly Husky's and Pitts as they role out of the factory. Also you can probably deliver them to new owners as well. I think it would be an awesome retirement job.

:yeahthat:

Although I would include those blasphemy aircraft without conventional gear. Cessna, Diamond, Mooney, Pilatus...you get the idea.

 

[granlistillo]

Andalucia, 1917...such a splendid summer.

Cool song just googled. What's the reference too? Before Hemingway's time...?