Test pilot facts for kids
A test pilot is a special kind of pilot. They fly new airplanes or spacecraft to see how they work. They use special methods called "flight test techniques" to check everything. This helps engineers know if the aircraft is safe and ready to fly.
Test pilots can work for the military or for companies that build planes. Flying military aircraft for testing is one of the most challenging and dangerous jobs for a pilot.
In the 1950s, test flying was very risky. Many pilots died in accidents. Today, it's much safer! This is because aircraft technology has improved a lot. Also, more testing is done on the ground. Sometimes, even unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) are used for testing. Even with these improvements, being a test pilot is still more dangerous than many other pilot jobs.
A test pilot needs many important skills. They must be able to:
- Understand a plan for testing the aircraft.
- Follow that plan carefully while flying.
- Write down what happens during each test.
- Notice if the aircraft is acting strangely.
- Solve problems very quickly if something goes wrong.
- Handle many different issues at the same time.
- Tell engineers and other pilots what they found.
Test pilots also need to know about aerospace engineering. This helps them understand how and why planes are tested. They must be more skilled than most other pilots.
The History of Test Flying
Test flying became very important during World War I. This happened at the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) in the United Kingdom. In the 1920s, more test flying was done. The RAE in the UK and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in the United States led the way.
In the 1950s, NACA became NASA, the space agency. During these years, test flying became much more scientific.
Where Test Pilots Learn
The oldest school for test pilots is the Empire Test Pilots' School. It is located at MoD Boscombe Down in the United Kingdom. In America, the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School is at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The United States Naval Test Pilot School is in Maryland.
France has its own school called the École du personnel navigant d'essais et de réception (EPNER). It is in Istres, France. For pilots who test planes for companies (not the military), there is the National Test Pilot School. It is in Mojave, California.
Famous Test Pilots
Many brave and skilled people have been test pilots. Here are a few famous ones:
- Howard Hughes: He was an American businessman and movie producer. Hughes tested aircraft built by his own company, Hughes Aircraft.
- Chuck Yeager: He was a hero in World War II. On October 14, 1947, Yeager became the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound.
- Neil Armstrong: Before he walked on the moon, Armstrong was an X-15 pilot for NASA. He was the first person to step on the moon.
- Charles Bolden: He was a NASA astronaut. He later became the head of NASA.
Images for kids
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Léon Lemartin, the world's first test pilot, under contract to Louis Blériot in c. 1910
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Neil Armstrong and the North American X-15 after a research flight in 1960
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