Higher Education

Mojave California’s National Test Pilot School (NTPS) is the United States’ sole civilian test-pilot institution. The non-profit enterprise is one of only seven worldwide test-pilot schools recognized by the international Society of Experimental Test Pilots. And its a good one.... ANN's Jim Campbell is a graduate of one of their fixed wing programs and recommends them highly. By virtue of subject acknowledgement, NTPS pilot graduates are granted instant initial acceptance into the estimable society’s august ranks.

The curriculum of the NTPS’s professional test-pilot program initially followed the format and flow of the course taught at the US Air Force Test Pilot School, but has since been revised to better meet contemporary test-pilot missions. The school’s staff comprises primarily retired military officers holding both advanced academic degrees and certification form formal test-pilot schools.

On 22 December 2022, NTSP announced the creation of a new, non-profit business unit in a statement reading:

“On behalf of the NTPS Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of Flight Research, Inc, we are pleased to announce the acquisition of Flight Research Inc assets and the creation of a new NTPS not for profit Business Unit, Flight Research International LLC (FRI).

“NTPS is The World’s Test Pilot School. Our mission is to educate and train military and civilian aviation personnel so that each graduate increases flight test competency, improves flight test and aviation safety, and enhances the aerospace profession worldwide.  We complete our mission through our professional Test Pilot and Flight Test Engineer short and on demand courses. NTPS is accredited to award Master of Science Degrees and maintains an EASA certification.

“Flight Research is a world leader in aircraft maintenance, advanced flight training specializing in upset prevention and recovery training, flight test support, preparation for space travel, and custom high performance aircraft support and flight training.

“Said NTPS Enterprise CEO Pat Garman, ‘The joining of NTPS and FRI increases operational efficiencies and enables both NTPS and FRI to serve the international flight test and aviation communities with a broader set of flight test and advanced flight training options.’

“Said Bill Korner, retiring Chairman and CEO of Flight Research, Inc. ‘It is a natural fit bringing these two exceptional companies together with the ability to offer customers the very best in services that further the safety and advancement of aerospace.’

“James E Brown III will continue to lead the NTPS School as President, and Patrick Garman will serve as the Interim CEO of the NTPS Enterprise and acting President of FRI.”

Parties seeking to learn more about NTPS and its curriculum are invited to visit the school’s website.

FMI: www.ntps.edu