Test Pilot: A Career for Bravehearts!

What's It About?

A test pilot is part scientist, part engineer, as well as an experienced pilot. He is required to test all kinds of aircraft - from microlights to fighter jets, to large passenger aircraft. His knowledge of various systems and aircraft has to be impeccable and is qualified to give judgment on their adequacy. Since a pilot has to stretch the limits of an aircraft, there is a degree of unpredictability and risk associated with the job. Therefore, he needs to be mature enough to take calculated risks based on experience, learning and knowledge base.

Clock Work

Test pilots seldom have a fixed schedule. The timetable for an IAF test pilot would be entirely different from one working in HAL. Here's a typical schedule of a HAL test pilot:

8.15am: Reach office

8.30am: Attend briefing session where the chief test pilot discusses findings of the previous day's test flights and plans the day's flight schedule

10am: Analyse data collected during test flights

11.30am: Take part in simulation tests

12.30pm: Break for lunch since I am not scheduled to fly

1pm: Commence flights

2.30pm: Attend debriefing sessions; discuss with designers

3.30pm: Conduct lab tests

4.30pm: Call it a day if there's no other work

The Payoff

Financial emoluments usually don't make a difference to test pilots as they are in the profession for the thrill of performing at levels not many dare to reach. The money along with extra allowances help a pilot get by comfortably.

Skills

• Being a skilled flier, quick on the uptake and extremely adaptive to new and different cockpit environments
• Should have a technical and analytical bent of mind
• He should be able to put himself in the shoes of an aircraft designer and understand his point of view
• Maturity and ability to take the right decisions under pressure
• Good communication and excellent interpersonal relationship skills

How Do I Get There?

Take up physics, chemistry, mathematics in Class 12. Apply for the National Defence Academy, conducted by Union Public Service Commission. If you get selected, you have to train for three years and on the basis of your performance, you get selected for the Indian Air Force and earn your wings after one-and-a-half year of training.

You can also take the Combined Defence Services (CDS) route after completing your BSc. If selected, opt for IAF. Become a pilot following the requisite training.

Once you have acquired enough experience as a pilot, you can write the entrance examination conducted by ASTE. If selected, you will have to undergo a 46-week-long course to become a test pilot.

Institutes & URLs

There are no institutions in India that can coach someone to become a test pilot. In India, the IAF has the only school (one of six around the world), the Air Force Test Pilots School, at Bangalore to train test pilots after a very careful selection process.

The route to this school is open only to military pilots at the moment.

Pros & Cons

• Extremely enriching and satisfying profession
• The learning process never ends; you become an aviation super-specialist
• Immense satisfaction in seeing an improved product after it's tested by you and your recommendations have been implemented
• Element of risk involved

 

Author: Pranab Ghosh (HT Horizons)

Date: 16th December, 2010

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