As a longtime Aviation geek who never got a chance to earn my PPL due to a previously undiagnosed medical condition which caused me to be permanently grounded., seeing this video makes me cry and smile simultaneously. Congratulations to the graduating class of US Air Force test pilot school 20A. Wherever you go in your career... may you fly faster, higher ., and teach and inspire all those you interact with for the rest of your careers ., and to the entire team for this class video production, may I say you absolutely nailed this... You gave everyone a sense of what it is like to go through the course, in such a way we felt like we were in the middle of it ... Bravo Zulu!!. I can only hope we see more videos with this kind of quality about the school.
We spent decades at Edwards AFB AFFTC on many programs including things in the '70s that were "very interesting", then went to the West German flight test center near Munich for 2 years to work on what became the Eurofighter, came back to ED on B-1B CTF when they only had original B-1A airframes, did 2 years out in UT test ranges working from Hill AFB, back to ED on F-16C Block 30G A2A wpns expansion/AIM-120 integration, then F-15 CTF, then Global Hawk. USAF TPS is unlike any other course in the world. These pilots are opening up new chapters to their careers in a very exciting time in military aviation.
I was honored to run the B737 simulator for these students for their civil aircraft certification training in Las Vegas.. Great crew members. Congratulations.
Yeah that was a blast! Epic Boeing vs Airbus sim battle. Sadly I didn’t have enough content for a dedicated video, but some of the shots made it into th-cam.com/video/2cGcIMzLBZo/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/NpqNJsIGSlQ/w-d-xo.html
I used to do those helo rides for the USAF TPS guys when we brought machines down from AETE. I'll never forget taking an Eagle driver for a "qual" flight in the Kiowa. During the pre-flight I pointed at a cylindrical object under the cowling and asked him what it was. He guess at oil cooler or a filter. It was the engine! Specifically the compressor. We both laughed so hard we cried. Loved our visits to USAF TPS.
Congratulations!! I am working on my ppl For helicopters and it is my dream to become a Test Pilot. Thank you for all you all do to keep aviation safe and make inprovments
what a great video! My dad was an AF fighter pilot. Never did this though! Congrats to anyone who finishes this school and tests aircraft for others to fly safely. I'm a retired airline pilot and teach pilots to fly Cessna biz jets...I would never want to be a test pilot. Give me a tried and tested aircraft any day!
Thanks! Biz jets sound fun too! Our only glimpse into that on course was a little dated--a Lear 25. But it did have variable stability and could simulate the stability and control/handling of many other aircraft.
@@MatchProductionsCongratulations on completing the course, I understand the huge achievement it is. I've sent this video to all my friends, we're mostly ex military pilots from another hemisphere. I used to take my Canon F-1 and a few lenses with me on flights back in the day.
@@MatchProductions I think I'd need to get better at mountain biking first! But I've been busy making TH-cam videos with my buddy Paul Brodie. Still learning about videography. Your videos are an inspiration! th-cam.com/video/OjRMbBl_Tbs/w-d-xo.html
What's it going Match? Here is a question that I've been asking myself for a long time: Do Test pilot schools (USAFTPS in this case), make any difference between fixed pilots? (fighters and cargo military pilots). If so, what are those differences?? Thank you very much for this outstanding video! P.S. I don't usually finish this type of videos, however with yours I did. Thanks!!! ❤
Hey Carlos, sorry for the delay! Been off here a while. While USAF TPS didn't have as large a rotary wing syllabus, most pilots, engineers, and WSOs all flew a large variety of fixed wing aircraft (and a few helicopters) no matter their background. It helps to have an experience-broadening curriculum to know how others do business too. Cheers!
Sadly, not quite. Most crews were solo-qualified for visual flight rules in at least one of the main staple aircraft at TPS: T-38, C-12, F-16. Most of the other ‘one-of’ aircraft were contracted by the USAF and we flew under the watch of the respective aircraft owners/contractors. Good question!
I think it depends on your service/branch. Each entry method (USAF, Navy, exchange Air Force) sets their own req’ts to send people, and each TPS also has their own set of req’ts. These may be published on their respective sites. I can only speak for my case, an RCAF exchange student, which req’d an undergraduate degree in engineering, math, maybe even science.
Thanks! Sorry I thought I had responded to you earlier but it is not showing up now. I was one of two international students, so I cannot speak for the USAF requirements specifically, except to perhaps steer you to an admissions page on their site...maybe this helps? www.edwards.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/393894/us-air-force-test-pilot-school/
@@MatchProductions To all in and involved with TPS: Keeping kicking ass. You all deserve every bit of what you’ve earned, and thank you for doing what you do.
As a longtime Aviation geek who never got a chance to earn my PPL due to a previously undiagnosed medical condition which caused me to be permanently grounded., seeing this video makes me cry and smile simultaneously. Congratulations to the graduating class of US Air Force test pilot school 20A. Wherever you go in your career... may you fly faster, higher ., and teach and inspire all those you interact with for the rest of your careers ., and to the entire team for this class video production, may I say you absolutely nailed this... You gave everyone a sense of what it is like to go through the course, in such a way we felt like we were in the middle of it ... Bravo Zulu!!. I can only hope we see more videos with this kind of quality about the school.
We spent decades at Edwards AFB AFFTC on many programs including things in the '70s that were "very interesting", then went to the West German flight test center near Munich for 2 years to work on what became the Eurofighter, came back to ED on B-1B CTF when they only had original B-1A airframes, did 2 years out in UT test ranges working from Hill AFB, back to ED on F-16C Block 30G A2A wpns expansion/AIM-120 integration, then F-15 CTF, then Global Hawk.
USAF TPS is unlike any other course in the world. These pilots are opening up new chapters to their careers in a very exciting time in military aviation.
I was honored to run the B737 simulator for these students for their civil aircraft certification training in Las Vegas.. Great crew members. Congratulations.
Yeah that was a blast! Epic Boeing vs Airbus sim battle. Sadly I didn’t have enough content for a dedicated video, but some of the shots made it into th-cam.com/video/2cGcIMzLBZo/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/NpqNJsIGSlQ/w-d-xo.html
I used to do those helo rides for the USAF TPS guys when we brought machines down from AETE. I'll never forget taking an Eagle driver for a "qual" flight in the Kiowa. During the pre-flight I pointed at a cylindrical object under the cowling and asked him what it was. He guess at oil cooler or a filter. It was the engine! Specifically the compressor. We both laughed so hard we cried. Loved our visits to USAF TPS.
Nice!!! Thanks for helping us broaden our horizons!
Incredible! A huge amount of effort went into creating this, and it shows.
You got that right! Thanks!
My dad was TPS Class of 80, wish this production team was around then. Excellent video and congrats to class of 20A 💥
Congratulations!! I am working on my ppl For helicopters and it is my dream to become a Test Pilot. Thank you for all you all do to keep aviation safe and make inprovments
Nice job, guys! Greetings from the Higher School of pilots VVS USSR 1987-1991 (L-29, MIG-21)
What an awesome way to commemorate your achievement. Congratulations Match!
Thank you very much!
Well done! Thank you! And congratulations to you and the entire class.
Thank you!
what a great video! My dad was an AF fighter pilot. Never did this though! Congrats to anyone who finishes this school and tests aircraft for others to fly safely. I'm a retired airline pilot and teach pilots to fly Cessna biz jets...I would never want to be a test pilot. Give me a tried and tested aircraft any day!
Thanks! Biz jets sound fun too! Our only glimpse into that on course was a little dated--a Lear 25. But it did have variable stability and could simulate the stability and control/handling of many other aircraft.
@@MatchProductions I teach the Citation X, fastest biz jet in the world right now... .925
I realize for test pilots that's slow lol😊😎
What an amazing video, so much effort into everything. Lucky to have such amazing access.
Thanks! I did have to pay the price of admission though by completing the grueling course 😬!
@@MatchProductionsCongratulations on completing the course, I understand the huge achievement it is. I've sent this video to all my friends, we're mostly ex military pilots from another hemisphere. I used to take my Canon F-1 and a few lenses with me on flights back in the day.
Congratulations USAF✈️😎✈️
Congratulations USAF🇺🇸
Amazing video! TPS looks like a great experience.
It sure was! Plus a lot of academics!
Absolutely amazing Match, great video and looks like an incredible year! Congrats to all!
Thanks bud!
CHILL BUMPS AND HONOR!
Epic. Solid work, Match.
Congrats! Well done Class 20A. Awesome video Match!
Thanks a lot!
Hell yea! Got some Canadians in there too! As always great video!
Yes! Thank you!
When I reincarnate, I'm coming back to become a test pilot !
Amazing video Match! Congrats on completing the course!
Thanks Mitch! Time for some mountain biking vids?!
@@MatchProductions I think I'd need to get better at mountain biking first! But I've been busy making TH-cam videos with my buddy Paul Brodie. Still learning about videography. Your videos are an inspiration! th-cam.com/video/OjRMbBl_Tbs/w-d-xo.html
Very well done congrats to all. Safe Travels
This is amazing!
Thanks!!!
Excellent video!
Thanks Lorenzo!
I want to make it here one day.
Solid work backed up with solid passion my friend! Hope to see you there!
“RESPECT”
looks like a pilots dream i hope my country sends me at some point
What's it going Match? Here is a question that I've been asking myself for a long time: Do Test pilot schools (USAFTPS in this case), make any difference between fixed pilots? (fighters and cargo military pilots). If so, what are those differences?? Thank you very much for this outstanding video!
P.S. I don't usually finish this type of videos, however with yours I did. Thanks!!! ❤
Hey Carlos, sorry for the delay! Been off here a while. While USAF TPS didn't have as large a rotary wing syllabus, most pilots, engineers, and WSOs all flew a large variety of fixed wing aircraft (and a few helicopters) no matter their background. It helps to have an experience-broadening curriculum to know how others do business too. Cheers!
Imagine what does people are seeing rn. What aviation revolutions are they flying maybe even in the outer space at speeds like mach 6
This is probably a dumb question but did y’all solo each aircraft y’all flew and are y’all fully qualified to fly each aircraft.
Sadly, not quite. Most crews were solo-qualified for visual flight rules in at least one of the main staple aircraft at TPS: T-38, C-12, F-16. Most of the other ‘one-of’ aircraft were contracted by the USAF and we flew under the watch of the respective aircraft owners/contractors. Good question!
Thanks man, that was a great video!👍
Outstanding vid! Congrats!
Glad you enjoyed it!
great job 👌
🌿❤🤍💙🌿THANK YOU!
Can you get into TPS with an aviation maintenance science degree (holds an A&P)?
I think it depends on your service/branch. Each entry method (USAF, Navy, exchange Air Force) sets their own req’ts to send people, and each TPS also has their own set of req’ts. These may be published on their respective sites. I can only speak for my case, an RCAF exchange student, which req’d an undergraduate degree in engineering, math, maybe even science.
Fantastic ✌️✈️
Do fixed wing pilots fly rotors? Awesome video!
Yes, everyone gets some rotary exposure. On our course it was the R-44 and the venerable Huey.
Thanks so much 🙏
What are the requirements to be a test pilot? Amazing video!!
Thanks! Sorry I thought I had responded to you earlier but it is not showing up now. I was one of two international students, so I cannot speak for the USAF requirements specifically, except to perhaps steer you to an admissions page on their site...maybe this helps? www.edwards.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/393894/us-air-force-test-pilot-school/
Do they literally fly every aircraft during TPS?
Almost 😁
@@MatchProductions To all in and involved with TPS:
Keeping kicking ass. You all deserve every bit of what you’ve earned, and thank you for doing what you do.
🇱🇷USAF
First - sick!
🇺🇸