vUSAF Opens Air Force Flight Test Center / Test Pilot S

Effective 14 April 2003 the Virtual USAF is pleased toannounce further expansion with the stand up of theAir Force Flight Test Center.The Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air ForceBase, Calif., is the vUSAF center of excellence forresearch, development and test and evaluation ofaerospace systems for the United States and itsallies. It operates the U.S. Air Force Test PilotSchool and is home to NASA's Dryden Research Centerand to considerable test activity conducted byAmerica's commercial aerospace industry. Withassociations with outside agencies and companies forthe development of the newest jet aircraft to the AirForce's newest weapons platforms, the test personnelat this center will play a role in virtually everyaircraft to enter the vUSAF inventory throught therest of its existance. This combat support establishesthe Flight Test Center's direct and tangible link tothe warfighter.This test center is commander as concurrent duties bythe Chief of Staff vUSAF, William Pope, until asuitable successor is trained and appointed. Also,carrying as concurrent duties, Major General FrancisoLugo, vUSAF (Commander Air Force Reserve Command) willbe assisting General Pope in the operations of thecenter as the Executive Officer of the AFFTC and asthe project liasion officer on several projectsalready in the works at the center.Flying operations and functions at the test center aredirected by the 412th Test Wing. In doing so, the412TW manages all engineering support for manned andunmanned aerospace vehicle test programs. The 412TW iscommanded as a concurrent position by Major GeneralJan Carlos Varada, VUSAF (Currently Commanding OfficervUSAF Space Command) until a suitable successor isappointed.In addition to the developmental and operational testand evaluation of aerospace platforms, the AFFTC hoststhe Air Force Test Pilot School. The school's missionis to educate and train test pilots, navigators, andengineers to fully test and evaluate aerospacevehicles and their systems. Applications for the testpilot school may be directed via your chain of commandto the commander of the AFFTC. Test pilot school slotsare available to all IAMPSO affiliates. Outside agencyrequests for school slots will be considered on a caseby case basis.Questions regarding the center of any of itsactivities can be sent to [email protected]