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Naval Test Pilot School


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To any of the military aviators out there,

 

Who here has gone through or knows someone who has gone through the Naval Test Pilot School? I have a few questions, some particular to Army guys/gals that have gone through it.

 

For the Army Experimental Test Pilot application...

The MILPER messages I have read state they are looking for CW2 & higher, 1,000+ military flight hours, preferably someone with some sort of IP/IE/SP/MTP/ME background, and preferably someone with a strong physics background. For the FY16 board that'll be held March/April next year, I'll have met all the requirements and background preferences except for having a strong physics background. What exactly are they looking for?

 

There are few bachelors degrees in the warrant officer corps and even fewer with an engineering/physics background. I don't have a lot of formal schooling in physics but I'd be willing to make myself competitive by taking advanced physics courses and labs to show proficiency and willingness to be in the program. I am curious, as far as warrants go, who and what is considered competitive for these boards.

 

I was speaking to a Major earlier this year who just ended an XP tour at Redstone Test Center and he was saying that the board is an initial screening for NTPS. If you're tentatively selected, he was saying they send you TDY to Redstone Arsenal for an interview and evaluation on your physics knowledge, computer programming ability, and knowledge on calculus. I'm not saying he was exaggerating, but "physics" sounded like aerodynamics expounded on, "computer programming" sounded like whether or not someone could write Excel formulas, and "calculus" sounds like whether or not you can plug in numbers into a formula. That being said, I am trying to get confirmation on what is expected so that I could better prepare my file and interview.

 

For the Naval Test Pilot School...

I understand it's an 11+ month school. How rigorous is the program? Again, the Major I spoke with made it sound pretty demanding and I imagine it would be. Is it something where you need to come in hot out of academia with a background in aeronautical engineering or can you learn most (if not all) of what you need to know from the academics portion of the school. Secondly, is it considered an accompanied tour or do they somehow chalk it up to a very long TDY trip?

 

After the School...

What can one expect for an initial assignment? I'd imagine Redstone is likely first on the hit list, but I've heard rumors of assignments at places such as Aberdeen Proving Grounds. How long can one expect to be in an XP assignment before returning to a CAB/GSAB?

 

 

 

I realize there's probably very few out there with any familiarity of the program, but it's worth asking here since it's just as hard to find anyone that knows anything about it that are currently serving on active duty.

 

Thanks!

 

zVo

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Not a TPS grad myself but know a few guys who ran through the course. So take it for what it's worth. It's pretty heavy in the advanced math and engineering arena. I don't know anyone who has got in to TPS with out a engineering or math degree or a degree with a heavy math background. Engineering isn't specifically required but more so the coursework and grades that were achieved. To sum it up, go flip through your charts in the back of your specific aircraft operating manual, the ones that have the Em diagrams, specific excess power diagrams, and a multitude of other aircraft performance charts and then imagine having to create, analyze, and use said diagrams. They also get into the mechanical operation of engines and how current turbine engines operate and differentiate between aircraft. If that's something that appeals to you then go for it, but understand it's a pretty steep learning curve. You're peers will all be fluent in aeronautics and most will be some combination of aerospace, astronautical, or mechanical engineers with a lot of flight hours. The syllabus from what I hear is pretty interesting as they all get exposed to aircraft well outside their own experience (I.e. Jet guys flies helicopters, helicopter guy flies jets).

 

If you get into it, it is a major career enhancing move, as NTPS and the USAF TPS school are highly sought after following your military service. It is something I have looked into but I joined the Marines for other reasons and am kind of over school for the time being.

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Can't say that I've run across any WO test pilots out in the CABs. XP's usually seem to go over to accessions command jobs, other than the odd RLO who gets pulled back to a BN CMD after becoming an XP. If you're competitive for it, you should probably jump on it. XP is a rare and much appreciated skill our branch.

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You don't have rose a degree as the XP message states, but it's almost impossible to have the math and physics prerequisites with out a degree in the process.

 

Once you graduate you will be stationed at either Rucker, Huntsville, Ft Eustis, or the 160th. If you don't have z degree the Army will send you to U of Georgia to finish it under a special program they have there. You will at some point, also go through s fixed wing transition.

 

It's a lofty goal for a Warrant, but experimental test flying can be very rewarding with an almost guaranteed follow on career in the civilian industry.

 

Mike-

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