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USNTPS (Test Pilot School)

flyerstud4

flyerstud4

Registered User
Been trying to look down the road a little bit and was wondering about test pilot school. What is the typical rank for most pilots in the school? Can you apply anytime and be accepted at anytime? Do they pull you right out of the fleet? Thanks for the input
 
HeyJoe

HeyJoe

Fly Navy! ...or USMC
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
How to apply to TPS

Lazy8s said:
Been trying to look down the road a little bit and was wondering about test pilot school. What is the typical rank for most pilots in the school? Can you apply anytime and be accepted at anytime? Do they pull you right out of the fleet? Thanks for the input
Click to expand...

TPS is way ahead of you and has all the answers you seek and the actual instruction posted on their website.

Note: couldn't get the BUPERS link to work so go to the Test Pilot Board page on BUPERS site for more info
 
Cavt

Cavt

Living the dream
pilot
From what I know its not uncommon for guys to have to apply a couple of times to get in.
 
HeyJoe

HeyJoe

Fly Navy! ...or USMC
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
Cavt said:
From what I know its not uncommon for guys to have to apply a couple of times to get in.
Click to expand...

Hence the recommendation on the BUPERS website to apply early (as you can) and often. It is highly competitive and some head there to be elgible to apply for the Space Shuttle program which is even more competitive.
 
Swanee

Swanee

Cereal Killer
pilot
None
Contributor
heyjoe said:
Hence the recommendation on the BUPERS website to apply early (as you can) and often. It is highly competitive and some head there to be elgible to apply for the Space Shuttle program which is even more competitive.
Click to expand...


I was just looking up the AF TPS requirements, you have to possess a BS in Engineering, Math or Physics to be eligible for admission though is says they will take other physical science degrees on a case by case basis.

There are more here:
http://www.edwards.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070111-025.pdf

warning, rant ahead:

NASA has so many pilots that you could spend your entire career with NASA and not once get to drive the truck to space. They have their rock stars so you basically wait for them to either retire or die and hope that you are in the right place at the right time and get a slot.

The easiest way to get into space right now is to be a mission specialist from some other country without a program and get a "political" appointment.
 
R

RHPF

Active Member
pilot
Contributor
My buddy is at (or rather JUST left) AF TPS. He's been there for the last 2.5 years or so. If anyone has any questions you want me to relay, I'll see what I can do.

I had the chance to go visit TPS about 5 or 6 times, including a graduation and a couple flights in their gliders. Great group of people, and being around it you can't help but want to be a part of it. In fact ONLY when I am around TPS do I wish I had been an engineering major... if all the chips fell in place it is certainly something I would like to have been able to do (NTPS or AF).

I'm sure this is common knowledge, but the Navy sends someone to AFTPS, and vice versa. Also, Navy TPS does not require a technical degree, but it is strongly recommended. I haven't asked anyone, but I would be willing to bet the chances of a PoliSci major getting picked up for TPS to be about zero.
 
Beans

Beans

*1. Loins... GIRD
pilot
Isn't there also a third option for TPS w/ the Frenchies? A NA/Test Pilot came to my school once to talk about some development stuff he did in the Pentagon. He went to TPS in France after 6mo at DLI.
 
Cavt

Cavt

Living the dream
pilot
While at Pax River visiting some friends I met a guy at TPS who was an art history major, so its not unheard of. But I would imagine that their aren't many like him and he either took a lot of math/physics classes in college or did some serious class work after college to get his knowledge up to par.
 
phrogdriver

phrogdriver

More humble than you would understand
pilot
Super Moderator
Cavt said:
While at Pax River visiting some friends I met a guy at TPS who was an art history major, so its not unheard of. But I would imagine that their aren't many like him and he either took a lot of math/physics classes in college or did some serious class work after college to get his knowledge up to par.
Click to expand...

I think it comes down to having taking specific classes in those subjects vice a major. I know of a USNA economics major who was accepted on that basis.
 
MIDNJAC

MIDNJAC

is clara ship
pilot
Cavt said:
While at Pax River visiting some friends I met a guy at TPS who was an art history major, so its not unheard of. But I would imagine that their aren't many like him and he either took a lot of math/physics classes in college or did some serious class work after college to get his knowledge up to par.
Click to expand...

I guy I knew from my NROTC unit ended up going to AFIT immediately after comissioning for a 1 yr master's program in aero engineering....he said that most of the other Navy guys going there were LT's just finished w/ their 1st tour, and doing it as prep for TPS. Presumably this could be the way that non-tech college majors might get it????
 
Cavt

Cavt

Living the dream
pilot
MIDNJAC said:
I guy I knew from my NROTC unit ended up going to AFIT immediately after comissioning for a 1 yr master's program in aero engineering....he said that most of the other Navy guys going there were LT's just finished w/ their 1st tour, and doing it as prep for TPS. Presumably this could be the way that non-tech college majors might get it????
Click to expand...

The couple guys I know from TPS (now at HX-21) did that, but they were engineering majors, a non tech major probably wouldn't be able to jump into graduate level engineering classes, not that he/she wouldnt be smart but you have to have a basic level of understanding of the material, just like a aero guy couldnt just drop in and do grad work in english lit.. I think that it comes down to the fact that you have to have at least some tech background, but not a major in college, and if you don't have a tech major it is a strike against you but not a deal breaker.
 
usmarinemike

usmarinemike

Solidly part of the 42%.
pilot
Contributor
Swanee said:
warning, rant ahead:

NASA has so many pilots that you could spend your entire career with NASA and not once get to drive the truck to space. They have their rock stars so you basically wait for them to either retire or die and hope that you are in the right place at the right time and get a slot.

The easiest way to get into space right now is to be a mission specialist from some other country without a program and get a "political" appointment.
Click to expand...

Or you can wait for them to lose their minds and drive cross country wearing a diaper so they can threaten murder upon their colleagues in the airport parking lot. Hope NASA clears PRK by the time I get to that level.
 
Cavt

Cavt

Living the dream
pilot
She said she just wanted to TALK to the other girl, thats all...and by talk I think she meant club her over the head, wrap her in plastic and dump the body somewhere. :icon_wink
 
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