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U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School graduates Class 08A

  • Published
  • U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School Class 08A graduated in a ceremony at the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter hangar Dec. 13.

The school's 149th class received a Master of Science in Flight Engineering degree upon completion of this course.

Class 08A consisted of 10 test pilots, nine flight test engineers and one test navigator from the United States, France, Italy and Taiwan.

Each student has completed more than 2,500 hours of academics and approximately 120 hours of in-flight training -- each student puts in about six hours per day of instructor contact time, not including academic and flight preparation time.

During the final six months of the year at TPS, students demonstrated knowledge of curriculum objectives through the planning and execution of test management projects. Class 08A's TMPs were:

AT BAT
AT BAT consisted of flight test research into pilot behavior during tracking tasks in the presence of boundaries. The results were used to mathematically model pilots in these situations and to correlate the aircraft performance in these situations to pilot opinions of the aircraft. The team members included Maj. Ryan Blake, Republic of China air force Maj. Julian Lee, Capt. Nancy Baccheschi, Capt. Glenn Cooley and Capt. Chris Keithley.

LCOCHO
The LCOcho test team conducted limit cycle oscillation testing to evaluate the effects of different AIM-9 variants on LCO characteristics. LCO is a self-sustained airframe structural response resulting from interaction of the aeroelastic properties of the airframe and the aerodynamic effects of the flight conditions. The team members included Maj. Iain Ferguson, Maj. Ted Meek, Navy Lt. Doug Hool, Capt. Joe McKenna and Capt Les Snodgrass.

OCHO LIFT
Ocho Lift was an investigation of wing fences on a T-38 Talon. Effects on lift, handling qualities and flow characteristics were evaluated. The team members included Maj. Michael Williams, Maj. Jonathan Dietrich, Italian air force Capt. Gian Luca Greco, Capt. Joshua Schneider and Capt. Matthew Wroten.

SENIOR RASCAL
Senior RASCAL involved compatibility flight testing and payload environmental characterization for the Reconfigurable Airborne Sensor, Communications and Laser pods. The pod was certified for flight carriage via precise maneuvers at high g and Mach conditions. The interior of the pod was instrumented with accelerometers, temperature and pressure sensors, and a video camera to define build specifications for future payloads. The team members included French air force Maj. Olivier Borde, Capt. David Kern, Capt. Jeff LaFleur, Capt Eric Schultz and Eric Schutte.

Each student has been trained to lead members of a flight test team in the latest methods of flight testing, systems evaluation and test management, while instilling the cooperation and understanding between test team members necessary for successful flight test operations.

Slide show

U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School graduates Class 08A

  • Published
  • U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School Class 08A graduated in a ceremony at the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter hangar Dec. 13.

The school's 149th class received a Master of Science in Flight Engineering degree upon completion of this course.

Class 08A consisted of 10 test pilots, nine flight test engineers and one test navigator from the United States, France, Italy and Taiwan.

Each student has completed more than 2,500 hours of academics and approximately 120 hours of in-flight training -- each student puts in about six hours per day of instructor contact time, not including academic and flight preparation time.

During the final six months of the year at TPS, students demonstrated knowledge of curriculum objectives through the planning and execution of test management projects. Class 08A's TMPs were:

AT BAT
AT BAT consisted of flight test research into pilot behavior during tracking tasks in the presence of boundaries. The results were used to mathematically model pilots in these situations and to correlate the aircraft performance in these situations to pilot opinions of the aircraft. The team members included Maj. Ryan Blake, Republic of China air force Maj. Julian Lee, Capt. Nancy Baccheschi, Capt. Glenn Cooley and Capt. Chris Keithley.

LCOCHO
The LCOcho test team conducted limit cycle oscillation testing to evaluate the effects of different AIM-9 variants on LCO characteristics. LCO is a self-sustained airframe structural response resulting from interaction of the aeroelastic properties of the airframe and the aerodynamic effects of the flight conditions. The team members included Maj. Iain Ferguson, Maj. Ted Meek, Navy Lt. Doug Hool, Capt. Joe McKenna and Capt Les Snodgrass.

OCHO LIFT
Ocho Lift was an investigation of wing fences on a T-38 Talon. Effects on lift, handling qualities and flow characteristics were evaluated. The team members included Maj. Michael Williams, Maj. Jonathan Dietrich, Italian air force Capt. Gian Luca Greco, Capt. Joshua Schneider and Capt. Matthew Wroten.

SENIOR RASCAL
Senior RASCAL involved compatibility flight testing and payload environmental characterization for the Reconfigurable Airborne Sensor, Communications and Laser pods. The pod was certified for flight carriage via precise maneuvers at high g and Mach conditions. The interior of the pod was instrumented with accelerometers, temperature and pressure sensors, and a video camera to define build specifications for future payloads. The team members included French air force Maj. Olivier Borde, Capt. David Kern, Capt. Jeff LaFleur, Capt Eric Schultz and Eric Schutte.

Each student has been trained to lead members of a flight test team in the latest methods of flight testing, systems evaluation and test management, while instilling the cooperation and understanding between test team members necessary for successful flight test operations.

Edwards provides care, opportunities for children aged six weeks through high school graduation

Edwards provides care, opportunities for childrenaged six weeks through high school graduation

The Child and Youth Program at Edwards AFB provides care and opportunities for kids ages six weeks old through high school graduation. A brief summary of those services follows:

  •                    The Child Development Center cares for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with a DOD-wide curriculum. The curriculum is focused on learning through play activities supporting social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Installations across DOD follow the curriculum on the same timeline to allow seamless permanent change-of-station transitions for youth enrolled in care.
  •                    The School Age Center provides before and after-school care and summer camp for children ages 5 to 12. During school breaks, full-day camps are offered. SAC promotes cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, language and physical development through programs that encourage self-confidence, curiosity, self-discipline and resiliency.
  •                    The open recreation program at the Main Youth Center provides a safe space for ages 9 to 12 to attend after school. Programs include Power Hour, STEM, Torch Club, social recreation, youth camps, special events and more.
  •                    The youth sports program provides intro and league opportunities for ages 3 to 12, and promotes inclusiveness, self-discipline, commitment, resiliency and social skills. There are four sports offered annually for ages five to 12: baseball/softball, soccer, flag football and basketball. Smart start programs are available to ages 3 to 5. There are many other sports and camps offered throughout the year.
  •                    The Teen Center is available for ages 13 to 18 during the school year. Programs offered include Military Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, social recreation, STEM activities, college trips, leadership camps and more.
  •                    Youth programs (SAC, open rec and teen) are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.
  •                    Family Child Care homes – there are currently three FCC homes on the installation. They can provide care for ages two weeks to 12 years. FCC providers are trained by Child and Youth Program training and curriculum specialists and have the flexibility to determine their hours of operation and the ages of youth within their care. The program’s new dedicated manager, Jennifer Stegmann, may be reached at 661-275-7529.

Although CDC enrollment capacity is 317, not all slots are currently filled because of a shortage of childcare workers. School Age Center enrollment capacity is 156. After-school care enrollment is 130. Before-school care enrollment is 75. Summer Camp 2022 was at its capacity and enrollment for Summer Camp 2023 opens April 3.