Flight Test Engineer Science & Engineering Professionals
SaveWhat Does a Flight Test Engineer Do?
Flight test engineers work with other systems engineers to plan the tests in detail and to make sure that the recording systems are installed for the required data parameters. They analyse the data collected during test flights and produce reports for individual test phases and for the final flight test. They are also responsible for the safety of the test operations.
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Aviation Meteorology
Understand aviation meteorology to deal with the impact of weather on air traffic management (ATM). Understand how thorough changes in pressure and temperature values at airports can create variations in head and tail-wind components, and may impose low visibility operating conditions. Knowledge of aviation meteorology can help to reduce negative impact on the ATM system by diminishing disruption and the consequent problems of disturbed flow rates, lost capacity and induced additional costs.
These are common skills for this role, based on a European framework. Requirements vary between jobs, including in the UK. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box - use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Flight Test Engineer
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialAviation Meteorology knowledge
Understand aviation meteorology to deal with the impact of weather on air traffic management (ATM). Understand how thorough changes in pressure and temperature values at airports can create variations in …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialEngineering Principles knowledge
The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialTechnical Drawings knowledge
Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
Recommended Books
3 books -
EssentialCommon Aviation Safety Regulations knowledge
The body of legislation and regulations that apply to the field of civil aviation at regional, national, European and International levels. Understand that regulations aimed at protecting citizens at all …
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialAircraft Flight Control Systems knowledge
Know the setting, features and operation of aircraft flight control systems. Manage flight control surfaces, cockpit controls, connections, and operating mechanisms required to control the flight direction of an aircraft. …
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialIndustrial Engineering knowledge
The field of engineering concerned with the development, improvement, and implementation of complex processes and systems of knowledge, people, equipment, etc.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialEngineering Processes knowledge
The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialManufacturing Processes knowledge
The steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialProduction Processes knowledge
Materials and techniques required in the production and distribution processes.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAdjust Engineering Designs skill
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAnalyse Test Data skill
Interpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApprove Engineering Design skill
Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Aircraft Compliance With Regulation skill
Ensure that every aircraft complies with applicable regulation and all components and equipment have officially valid components.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Radio Navigation Instruments skill
Operate radio navigation instruments to determine the position of aircraft in the airspace.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Two-way Radio Systems skill
Use radios that can receive and transmit sound signals in order to communicate with similar radios on the same frequency such as mobile phones and walkie talkies.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Scientific Research skill
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Technical Drawing Software skill
Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOversee Aircraft Sensors And Recording Systems skill
Supervise the installation of the aircraft sensors and recording systems during the flight tests to ensure that they meet required data paramaters.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPlan Test Flights skill
Draft the test plan by describing manoeuvre-by-manoeuvre for each test flight in order to measure take-off distances, rate of climb, stall speeds, manoeuvrability and landing capacities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 15 displayed)
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OptionalAerodynamics knowledge
The scientific field that deals with the way gases interact with moving bodies. As we usually deal with atmospheric air, aerodynamics is primarily concerned with the forces of drag and …
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalVisual Flight Rules knowledge
Types of flight rules which are a compilation of regulations that allow pilots to fly aircrafts in clear as well as unclear weather conditions whereby it is declared that outside …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalElectrical Engineering knowledge
Understand electrical engineering, a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalElectronics knowledge
The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalInstrumentation Engineering knowledge
The science and engineering discipline that attempts to control process variables of production and manufacturing. It also focuses on the design of systems with desired behaviours. These systems use sensors …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalMechanical Engineering knowledge
Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAerospace Engineering knowledge
The engineering discipline that combines various technologies and engineering disciplines such as avionics, materials science and aerodynamics in order to design, develop and manufacture aircraft, spacecraft, missiles and satillites.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalInstrumentation Equipment knowledge
The equipment and instruments used for the monitoring and controlling of processes, such as valves, regulators, circuit breakers, and relays.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalConduct Performance Tests skill
Conduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Cockpit Control Panels skill
Operates control panels in the cockpit or flight deck according to the needs of the flight. Manage on-board electronic systems to ensure a smooth flight.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Flight Manoeuvres skill
Perform flight manoeuvres in critical situations, and associated 'upset' manoeuvres, in order to avoid collision.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Routine Flight Operations Checks skill
Perform checks before and during flight: conduct pre-flight and in-flight inspections of aircraft performance, route and fuel usage, runway availability, airspace restrictions, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Take Off And Landing skill
Perform normal and cross-wind take-off and landing operations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRecord Test Data skill
Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInspect Aircraft Manufacturing skill
Conduct inspections in the aviation industry; inspect plants where aircraft parts are manufactured to ensure safety and quality control. Ensure that aircraft components are manufactured in compliance with safety and …
Course recommendations coming soon.