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Science & ResearchISCO 2152

Flight test engineer

A flight test engineer is a person who works with other systems engineers to plan tests in detail and to make sure the recording systems for the required data parameters are installed before an aircraft flies.

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Rate 5 of the 16 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

operate radio navigation instruments

adjust engineering designs

perform scientific research

use technical drawing software

analyse test data

About flight test engineer

Planning comes first: the engineer establishes what each flight is meant to establish, what has to be measured to establish it, and which sensors and recording systems will capture it. The engineer then supervises the aircraft's sensor and recording systems during the tests, so that all the required data parameters are captured.

The engineer analyses the data collected during test flights and prepares reports for each phase of the test programme and for the final test flight.

The engineer is also responsible for the safety of test operations. The engineer applies common aviation safety rules and makes sure the aircraft complies with regulations. The work draws on engineering principles, industrial engineering, knowledge of production and distribution processes, and technical drawing software such as CAD. Formal requirements for education and licences are set by the employer.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (16)

production processesproduction processesMaterials and techniques required in the production and distribution processes.engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.aircraft flight control systemsaircraft flight control systemsThe setting, features and operation of aircraft flight control systems such as flight control surfaces, cockpit controls, connections, and operating mechanisms required to control the flight direction...manufacturing processesmanufacturing processesThe steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.industrial engineeringindustrial engineeringThe field of engineering concerned with the development, improvement, and implementation of complex processes and systems of knowledge, people, equipment, etc.common aviation safety regulationscommon aviation safety regulationsThe body of legislation and regulations that apply to the field of civil aviation at regional, national, European and International levels.operate radio navigation instrumentsoperate radio navigation instrumentsOperate radio navigation instruments to determine the position of aircraft in the airspace.adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.analyse test dataanalyse test dataInterpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.oversee aircraft sensor and recording systemsoversee aircraft sensor and recording systemsSupervise the installation of the aircraft sensors and recording systems during the flight tests to ensure that they meet required data paramaters.ensure aircraft compliance with regulationensure aircraft compliance with regulationEnsure that every aircraft complies with applicable regulation and all components and equipment have officially valid components.plan test flightsplan test flightsDraft the test plan by describing maneuver-by-maneuver for each test flight in order to to measure take-off distances, rate of climb, stall speeds, manoeuvrability and landing capacities.approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.
Optional (14) — show
visual flight rulesvisual flight rulesTypes 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 visual reference to t...instrumentation equipmentinstrumentation equipmentThe equipment and instruments used for the monitoring and controlling of processes, such as valves, regulators, circuit breakers, and relays.electrical engineeringelectrical engineeringThe field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.aerospace engineeringaerospace engineeringThe engineering discipline that combines various technologies and engineering disciplines such as avionics, materials science and aerodynamics in order to design, develop and manufacture aircraft, spa...aerodynamicsaerodynamicsThe 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 lift, which are...electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.mechanical engineeringmechanical engineeringDiscipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.inspect aircraft manufacturinginspect aircraft manufacturingConduct 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 ...record test datarecord test dataRecord 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 under exceptiona...operate cockpit control panelsoperate cockpit control panelsOperates 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.perform flight manoeuvresperform flight manoeuvresPerform flight manoeuvres in critical situations, and associated ‘upset’ manoeuvres, in order to avoid collision.perform take off and landingperform take off and landingPerform normal and cross-wind take-off and landing operations.conduct performance testsconduct performance testsConduct 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 conditi...perform routine flight operations checksperform routine flight operations checksPerform checks before and during flight: conduct pre-flight and in-flight inspections of aircraft performance, route and fuel usage, runway availability, airspace restrictions, etc.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What 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.

What skills does a flight test engineer need?

A flight test engineer needs 16 essential skills, including production processes, engineering principles, aircraft flight control systems, manufacturing processes, technical drawings.

Will AI replace flight test engineer jobs?

The AI disruption score for flight test engineer is 31/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record test data, operate radio navigation instruments, analyse test data. Most resilient: perform flight manoeuvres, perform routine flight operations checks, instrumentation equipment.

Quick Facts

SectorScience & Research
ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills16

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