What does a Flight Test Engineer do?
Published 3 min read
A Flight Test Engineer is responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of flight test programs. They work with pilots and other engineers to ensure that the aircraft meets all safety and performance requirements.
Flight Test Engineer job duties include:
- Develop test plans and procedures
- Conduct pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight testing
- Monitor aircraft systems and performance during testing
- Collect and analyze data from testing
- Identify and troubleshoot problems encountered during testing
- Prepare reports on test results
- Make recommendations for improvements based on test results
- Work with other engineers to design and implement changes based on test results
- Coordinate with pilots and other personnel involved in testing
Flight Test Engineer Job Requirements
Flight test engineers are responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of flight test programs. They work with a team of engineers and technicians to ensure that the aircraft meets all safety and performance requirements. Flight test engineers must have a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. They must also have a valid pilot's license and experience flying the type of aircraft they will be testing.
Flight Test Engineer Skills
- Aircraft systems knowledge
- Instrumentation and data acquisition
- Flight test planning and execution
- Risk management
- Data analysis
- Report writing
- Communication
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Problem solving
- Time management
Related: Top Flight Test Engineer Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Flight Test Engineer
A Flight Test Engineer is responsible for the safety and success of flight test programs. They work closely with pilots and other engineers to ensure that aircraft are safe and meet all performance requirements.
To become a Flight Test Engineer, you will need to have a strong background in engineering and physics. You should also be an experienced pilot. A bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related field is typically required.
The job outlook for Flight Test Engineers is good, with an expected growth of 4% from 2019-2029.* With the right skills and experience, you can become a part of this exciting field!
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