Seven countries, 43 aircraft: TPS pushes boundaries Published June 29, 2026 By Chase Kohler 412th Test Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A capstone project is a key component of the United States Air Force Test Pilot School curriculum, traditionally including at least one international partner visit alongside several domestic stops. In April, Class 25-B took the experience to a new level by traveling to a record seven countries. For the first time in 20 years, the cohort visited the German Air Force Flight Test Center, and for the first time in 10 years, they visited Brazilian Air force Test Pilot School. Students from U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School Class 25-B and their instructors pose with members of the Brazilian Air Force during their international capstone project. (Courtesy photos) Collaborating with coalition forces and logging hands-on flight hours in unfamiliar aircraft reinforces students' adaptability. These assignments push students to develop nonstandard solutions, a critical skill expected in developmental test assignments. "Adaptability is a skill required to explore the unknown with discipline. Becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable under minimal preparation is a requirement of any test leader," said David Vanhoy, USAF TPS technical director. "From foreign mission systems to aerobatics to inverted spins, this skill is carefully refined by direct access and experience to new environments." In total, Class 25-B flew 43 unique aircraft across 291.5 flight hours during their yearlong instruction at Edwards Air Force Base. This marked a 33% increase in total capstone flying hours compared to previous cohorts, reflecting the continued enhancement of the school's curriculum as testers are tasked with evaluating new systems at the speed of relevance. The USAF TPS is one of only seven globally recognized flight test schools, establishing a distinct international footprint.