Air Force selects 63 officers, civilians for test pilot school

Photo By Kat Bailey | Bravery and flying skills of the highest order have always been requirements for the flight test mission, but the Air Force demands much more of today's flight test professionals, including the 63 total force Airmen selected to attend test pilot school starting as early as June 2018. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Kat Bailey)  

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, TX, UNITED STATES

12.21.2017

Story by Kat Bailey 

Air Force's Personnel Center

The Air Force has selected 63 primary and alternate students to attend training at the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Naval, British and French test pilot schools, with classes starting next summer.

The selection board met in July and considered total force officer and civilian candidates for test pilot, test combat systems officer, test remotely piloted aircraft pilot and flight test engineer.

“Test pilot school ensures Air Force mission dominance by training highly qualified officers and civilians to lead and conduct full-spectrum testing and evaluation of aerospace weapons systems,” said Maj. Daniel Kimball, assignments officer at the Air Force’s Personnel Center. “Also, by engaging in exchange programs with the Naval Test Pilot School and our allies, we develop stronger joint and international relationships.”

The TPS graduates will have a profound strategic impact on the development of future combat capabilities, Kimball added.

The USAF TPS trains pilots, combat systems officers and engineers to develop, test and evaluate the newest aircraft and weapons systems. In addition, the school conducts exchange programs with the U.S. Naval, United Kingdom and French test pilot schools to train fixed and rotary wing pilots and flight test engineers.

Program graduates will earn a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering through Air University.

The selection list is available on myPers (https://mypers.af.mil/) from a CAC-enabled computer. To view the list, select “Any” from the dropdown menu and search “Test Pilot.” Prior to posting the list on myPers, the Air Force’s Personnel Center provided senior raters with advanced knowledge of the selection list to allow notifications through the chain of command.

For more information about Air Force personnel programs, visit myPers (https://mypers.af.mil/). Eligible individuals who do not have a myPers account can request one by following these instructions (http://www.afpc.af.mil/myPers).

– 30 –

• Date Taken: 12.21.2017
• Date Posted: 12.21.2017 12:12
• Story ID: 259846
• Location: JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, TX, US