FLIGHT TEST PILOT COURSE

I – GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The course is a specialization for pilots who will engage with aspects of real flight test operations. The course is also developed in a practical way using various types of flight simulators and aircraft.

The course covers aspects of Aeronautical Knowledge, Performance Testing, Flying Qualities, Systems, and Flight Test Management.

If you are a Pilot and have a Higher Education degree, we recommend taking the Postgraduate Course in Flight Test Engineering and Operations (see the COURSES option on the website). If you do not have a Higher Education degree but meet the requirements for “Flight Test Pilot – PEV2,” continue on this page because this course is for you.

II – COURSE OBJECTIVES

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

Provide knowledge and techniques for the pilot to carry out flights: experience flights, low-risk flight tests, production flights, acceptance flights from a manufacturer, a seller, or a leasing company, considering that this pilot has acquired during the course both theoretical and practical knowledge to conduct flight tests within the limits established in the aircraft Flight Manual.

The course curriculum is equivalent to the Flight Test Pilot Level 2 as outlined by ANAC in IS 61.15-001D.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

  • Perform typical flight test maneuvers for performance and flying qualities;
  • Understand the main testing techniques for avionic systems;
  • Develop the ability to prepare a Flight Test Plan, Flight Cards, and Flight Test Reports;
  • Develop the ability to prepare a Flight Test Plan, Cards, and Flight Test Reports;
  • Compare technical data obtained in flight with the Flight Manual approved by the aviation authority;
  • Understand all aspects of flight planning.

III – CRITERIA FOR ENROLLMENT ACCEPTANCE

To enroll in the course, the pilot-student candidate must:

  • Have completed High School;
  • Hold a Commercial Pilot License;
  • Hold a valid MNTE rating;
  • Hold a valid first-class medical certificate (CMA);
  • Hold IFR and MLTE ratings (they do not need to be valid);
  • Have at least 400 recorded flight hours;
  • Have flown at least four different types of aircraft;
  • Have completed a Jet Training course or have at least 10 flight hours in a jet or turboprop aircraft

IV – DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROCESS (GENERAL)

Students will be evaluated by:

  • Submitted exercise lists:
  • Exams taken;
  • Final course project (written and oral presentation);
  • Flight sheets in simulator;
  • Flight sheets in aircraft;

GRADES AND FINAL AVERAGE OF THE COURSE

 
Type of assessment Multiplicative factor Final average
Average of the sum of the proposed exercise lists 0,3 Sum of the values of the previous items divided by 4
Average of the sum of the theoretical exams taken 0,7 (1)(2)
Final course project (written and oral presentation) 1 (1)
Average of the sum of all Simulator Flight Sheets 1 (2)
Average of the sum of all Aircraft Flight Sheets 1 (2)
  1. For the purpose of the overall average, the grade obtained by the student to be recorded is that of the first evaluation.
  2. In case of an exam or flight (in simulator or in aircraft) with a deficient grade (below 5), the student must repeat the training or the exam.

APPROVAL CRITERIA
To be approved, the student must:

  • Achieve a final average equal to or greater than 6.0,
  • Have attended 80% or more of the course’s theoretical activities.
  • Have participated in 100% of the course’s practical activities.

FLIGHT EVALUATION IN AIRCRAFT AND SIMULATOR

In simulator and aircraft flights, the instructor will evaluate the student’s response in cognitive and psychomotor terms, assigning a grade for this evaluation at the application level and at the practice level, respectively, as follows:

 
Concept Absolute grade
Dangerous From 0 to 1.99
Deficient From 2 to 4.99
Minimally Satisfactory From 5 to 5.99
Satisfactory From 6 to 6.99
Quite Satisfactory From 7 to 7.99
Good From 8 to 8.99
Excellent From 9 to 10

The instructor must issue a final grade on the flight sheet, which should be a weighted score based on performance in each exercise and its relative importance, using the same grading scale applied to the psychomotor and cognitive items mentioned above.

In case of a deficient final grade (below 5) the student must repeat the flight in a simulator or aircraft.

The student may repeat the same flight or simulator training in which they received a deficient grade up to 2 times. If there is a third consecutive flight with a deficient grade, the student will be evaluated by the Instruction Council.

V – COURSE DAYS AND DURATION

The course will be held:

  • Fridays: in the evening
  • Saturdays: all day
  • Sundays: in the morning

Exceptionally, practical classes may be held on days other than those mentioned above.

VI – COURSE LOCATION

  • Classes will be mixed: distance learning, on line, and in-person;
  • Theoretical classes in distance learning format
    (Optionally, some theoretical classes may be on line, and in-person);
  • Practical classes in aircraft: at the aerodromes of Vale do Paraíba, SP;
  • Practical classes in simulators: ETEP Campus, Av. Barão do Rio Branco, 882 – Jardim Esplanada, São José dos Campos – SP.