Becoming a test pilot

[Bok269]

Recently Ive been thinking about becoming a test pilot for Boeing. Does anyone know what kind of experience they require? I was thinking a lot of Part 121 time.

[screaming_emu]

A LOT of any jet time as well as I'm guessing a degree (masters?) in aerospace engineering. I'm sure somebody on here has to be able to answer this a bit better than I.

[AJ]

Have a look at the requirements listed here for a Long Beach Test Pilot position:

https://jobs.boeing.com/JobSeeker/JobView?reqcode=07-1002629

[Colin Parker]

Well that rules me out!!

[Bok269]

Have a look at the requirements listed here for a Long Beach Test Pilot position:
https://jobs.boeing.com/JobSeeker/Jo...ode=07-1002629

Already have. That looks like some kind of military transport since its an IDS position. Im looking at something with the Comercial Aircraft Division. You also need military PIC flight time which I dont think I can get. (among other issues my vision isnt 20/20.

[USAFphotos]

The best of the best, of the best.


Even then having knee pads help.

[Bok269]

Yeah Im not liking that route. You think you can get their from an entry-level engineering position?

[Asmir Hamidovic]

Is that job dangerous?

[JSchraub]

I would think so.. They fly planes that have never been flown before. Sino Swearingen and some company not too long ago have lost pilots/planes.

[screaming_emu]

I would think so.. They fly planes that have never been flown before. Sino Swearingen and some company not too long ago have lost pilots/planes.

yeah...I wont say that its common for a company to have a prototype aircraft crash...but its certainly not UNcommon. I would imagine that as computers are used for more and more designing and testing, the job of a test pilot will get a bit safer, but still. They want you to have a degree in engineering for a reason

[eagle334]

Yeah Im not liking that route. You think you can get their from an entry-level engineering position?

I can almost guarantee you that EVERY test pilot that Boeing has is ex-military with a heck of a lot more PIC time than what they mentioned in their posting. An engineering degree would be a must, aeronautical engineering preferrably. They are not looking for someone that just knows how to fly an airplane, they want someone that could have built it before they got into it. Plus that requirement that you be a graduate from a test pilot school pretty much points directly at the military. As far as I know Embry-Riddle and UND don't offer test pilot 101. I would have to say it is probably easier to become an astronaut than a test pilot for Boeing.