Learning the Art and Science of Flight-Testing

The National Test Pilot School offers training alternatives for test pilot students.

Generally, one week of classroom academics, such as this class taught by NTPS Deputy Director Gregory Lewis, is followed by two weeks of practical application. Courtesty of NTPS

Flight simulators and flight-test labs aid in the teaching process. Courtesty of NTPS

NTPS and its sister company, FRI, occupy six large hangars at the Mojave Air and Space Port. The configuration of the airport and local airspace provide an ideal setting for flight-testing, attracting several futuristic aerospace companies such as Scaled Composites and XCOR. The vast airport property also serves as a heavy-jet graveyard. Courtesy of NTPS

The goal at NTPS is to generate test pilots and flight-test engineers capable of analyzing any type of aircraft. This is accomplished with a unique fleet of aircraft ranging from small trainers, such as the de Havilland Chipmunk, to the supersonic Saab Draken jet shown in the picture. Courtesy of NTPS

The goal at NTPS is to generate test pilots and flight-test engineers capable of analyzing any type of aircraft. This is accomplished with a unique fleet of aircraft ranging from small trainers, such as the de Havilland Chipmunk shown in the photo, to the supersonic Saab Draken jet. Courtesy of NTPS