Hybrid Solution Trains Flight Test Teams More Efficiently

The International Test Pilot School has teamed up with Honeywell to initiate a new flight test training program designed to improve how professional test pilots are trained. ITPS has developed a unique Hybrid Industry Training Solutions for Flight Test Teams program, and Honeywell’s Aerospace Flight Test team agreed to be the launch customer for the innovative training solution.

Both ITPS and Honeywell acknowledge that effective flight test training enhances productivity and reduces safety risk while assisting the retention of highly skilled flight test professionals. The hybrid flight test training model provides a flexible, affordable, and highly effective solution for professional test pilot and flight test engineer development by reducing the time away from the student’s workplace.

Honeywell’s Flight Test team will enroll the first two candidate into the inaugural course in the fall of 2025, and the Hybrid Flight Test course will take about 18 months to complete.

Dave Lohse, CEO of ITPS said, "We listened to the aerospace industry and designed a syllabus that directly addresses the need for effective and efficient flight test team training. As a world-class provider of flight test education, ITPS is committed to delivering innovative training solutions that balance industry demands with professional development.

“The Hybrid Industry Training Solutions program delivers high-quality training while minimizing disruptions to our customers' critical flight test operations. By embracing this program, Honeywell is demonstrating its strong commitment to excellence and is equipping its teams with the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience needed to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge in the aerospace industry."

Bill Lee, Senior Director of Flight Test Operations at Honeywell Aerospace said, "Our collaboration with ITPS marks a significant step forward in advancing an industry-first flight test training program. The new training program will ensure Honeywell's Flight Test professionals remain at the forefront of flight-testing standards and innovation so we can continue to bring cutting-edge aerospace products to the market for our customers."

The ITPS hybrid program leverages a combination of instructor-led online theory courses and hands-on exercises using the school’s diverse fleet of aircraft and simulators to strengthen flight test planning, conduct, and reporting skills. The program concludes with a capstone project for participants at the customer’s flight test center.

FMI:  itpscanada.com/ , aerospace.honeywell.com/