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Test Pilot Squadrons

NJ Devil Dog

NJ Devil Dog

Member
Hi,

I’ve come across a couple TPS guys during my time in training and they seemed to be from all over: China Lake, Yuma, Paz River. I’ve heard that Yuma is where VMX-1 is, and that it is a Marine Corps command. But I’ve also met Marines from Pax River and China Lake which are Navy commands.

What does the structure of the test pilot program look like? What determines if a Marine goes to HX-21 instead of VMX-1? Is there any difference between what is done at China Lake, Yuma, and Pax River?

Lastly, why do TPS guys come back to primary for ground school? Is it part of their curriculum or is it a specific pipeline?

Thank you!
 
FormerRecruitingGuru

FormerRecruitingGuru

Making Recruiting Great Again
NJ Devil Dog said:
Hi,

I’ve come across a couple TPS guys during my time in training and they seemed to be from all over: China Lake, Yuma, Paz River. I’ve heard that Yuma is where VMX-1 is, and that it is a Marine Corps command. But I’ve also met Marines from Pax River and China Lake which are Navy commands.

What does the structure of the test pilot program look like? What determines if a Marine goes to HX-21 instead of VMX-1? Is there any difference between what is done at China Lake, Yuma, and Pax River?

Lastly, why do TPS guys come back to primary for ground school? Is it part of their curriculum or is it a specific pipeline?

Thank you!
Click to expand...

What if I told you Google / AirWarriors search is your friend instead of creating a post for every thought on your mind?
 
JTS11

JTS11

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
FormerRecruitingGuru said:
While you’re at it, please provide at least 5-10 examples in which I actually do this.
Click to expand...
TBH, it seemed like a good natured question of a guy/gal seeking knowledge. I didn’t research their posting history. I'm not trying to be a gatekeeper on here...WTF do you know about.OT/DT nuances? I'll tell you what, there are folks on this site that can relay their experiences. I dunno, maybe I'm wrong.🤫
 
Roger_Waveoff

Roger_Waveoff

DFP 1: Why did we take off late?
pilot
HX-21 is developmental test. VMX-1 is operational test. The difference is developmental test pilots are, as the title would imply, helping develop entirely new aircraft or variants of existing aircraft. They are the ones identifying what operating limits should exist, what notes/warning/cautions should be written in the checklist, and so on. Operational test pilots are more so helping work out the bugs in new software loads for existing aircraft, or testing new weapons/countermeasures/sensors before they get rolled out to the fleet.

VMX-1 pilots are not TPS graduates, or at least are not required to be. The billet vacancy list usually lists an advanced instructor qualification such as Night Systems Instructor or Weapons Training Officer as a minimum.
 
JTS11

JTS11

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
Brett327 said:
While YOU'RE at it, please stay in your lane, HR guy.
Click to expand...
This. There are a lot of smart dudes/gals on this site (retired, reservist, AD, or in the training pipeline)

I hate to see non-aviators on this site bullying young-uns with genuine questions...anyone can be snarky and say use the AW search function or Google. (maybe it's appropriate in some instances)

But, let's refrain from that baseline mindset.
 
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IKE

IKE

Nerd Whirler
pilot
Let's see if this squid can answer most of your questions:
  • All USMC/USN test pilots start in Patuxent River, MD. That's where Test Pilot School (TPS) is.
  • You get to TPS by crushing it in your first tour, having a solid STEM or maybe STEM-adjacent undergrad, and applying to a board.
  • I know of Marine test pilots in Pax River and China Lake, but I've known some who did short times in North Carolina, Yuma, or West Palm (H-53).
  • Test squadrons are grouped by the type of aircraft flown. What you fly determines where you go (usually)
    • VX-20 (Pax) is C-130 and other big wing
    • HX-21 (Pax) is helo & V-22
    • VX-23 (Pax) is jets
    • UX-24 (Pax) is UAS
    • VX-30 (China Lake) is also C-130/big wing
    • VX-31 (China Lake) is jets, for the purpose of weps testing
  • I'm tracking V-22 bubbas going back through Advanced to get a helo refresher before TPS, but no part of TPS involves Primary. I'm not sure who you met down there. We have had TPS grads take command of VTs/HTs, but I would expect junior folks to be there.
  • Currently, all helo TPS students go through WAATS (Army, Marana, AZ) for H-60 & H-72 intros.
 
sevenhelmet

sevenhelmet

Low calorie attack from the Heartland
pilot
NJ Devil Dog said:
Lastly, why do TPS guys come back to primary for ground school? Is it part of their curriculum or is it a specific pipeline?

Thank you!
Click to expand...

Ooh, I’m a test guy! I know this one!

Fixed-wing TPS students get NATOPS qualified in the T-6 and T-38. Part of their pre-arrival training includes a trip to P-cola for a quick turn through the T-6 FITU and Randolph AFB T-38 PIT. USNTPS is only a year, and they pack a lot in- there isn’t time for much NATOPS qual jeopardy.

I think IKE cleaned up the rest, but don’t be afraid to keep asking considered questions about a given community. Some of us on here will answer them, and then tell you where the answers can be found.
 
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sevenhelmet

sevenhelmet

Low calorie attack from the Heartland
pilot
FormerRecruitingGuru said:
While you’re at it, please provide at least 5-10 examples in which I actually do this.
Click to expand...

I don’t need HR, I just need a search bar. Took me less than two minutes. I’m certain there are more. :)

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