Before being delivered or coming out of maintenance, an aircraft’s proper function and operation must be confirmed. Flight Test Engineers are tasked with planning and completing these return-to-service tests to ensure the safety of passengers and crew onboard the aircraft.

What is a Flight Test Engineer?

Flight test engineers ensure that aircraft are in safe condition for operations before signing them off to carry passengers or cargo. They inspect aircraft, design tests, and analyze data to identify system performance and determine an aircraft’s airworthiness.

Flight test engineers work on various aircraft, from commercial jets to military aircraft and small airplanes used in flight training or charter operations. They verify that aircraft meet the requirements outlined in Federal Aviation Regulations, and they determine the best course of action to take to ensure such compliance.

Do Flight Test Engineers Actually Fly?

Flight Test Engineers are not necessarily pilots; in fact, their duties are distinct from those of a pilot. Flight Test Engineers can do their jobs either from onboard an aircraft, often monitoring sensors and computer equipment from a passenger cabin or cargo compartment, or from the ground with data sent directly from aircraft sensors.

Flight Test Engineers work to test a specific parameter on each test flight. They work closely with pilots to develop and execute plans of action for each test flight. Upon completion of a flight, the Flight Test Engineer processes and analyzes the results to determine the outcome of the test flight.

While Flight Test Engineers often have flying experience, many do not, and most companies do not require their flight testers to be pilots. Still, flying experience – or experience from other aviation fields such as maintenance – can be beneficial for those interested in careers as Flight Test Engineers.

In fact, Flight Test Engineers and test pilots play distinctly different roles. While test pilots actually fly the airplanes, Flight Test Engineers do tests and interpret results. They often dictate which maneuvers, routes, and profiles the test pilots fly to ensure the right type and amount of data is collected.

How to Become a Flight Test Engineer

Many Flight Test Engineers earn advanced degrees in Flight Test Engineering, another form of engineering, or another STEM subject. Others complete on-the-job training with aircraft manufacturers or companies who specialize in testing used aircraft for delivery to new owners.

The U.S. military offers training to its own Flight Test Engineers to ensure its own aircraft are maintained in high quality conditions. Many of these Engineers continue their careers in the field as civilians after leaving the military.

Test pilots, further, often transition into roles as Flight Test Enginers due to their intricate knowledge of aircraft systems and performance. Pilots can be exceptionally attractive candidates, especially if they are already familiar with the aircraft type being tested.

Flight Test Engineers make on average $134,885 in the United States, though they can earn upwards of $160,000. Being a Flight Test Engineer can be a lucrative position, as they need to be intimately familiar with aircraft systems and possess the technical knowledge required to identify patterns, adjust tests, and recognize minute issues that must be addressed.

Though often a demanding job, the rewards of being a Flight Test Engineer can be equally beneficial. Seeing the fruits of a major test come to fruition is highly gratifying. Flight Test Engineers play a critical role in ensuring the continued success of safe commercial and military flight operations.