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The differences between flight controls engineers and flight test engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a flight controls engineer and a flight test engineer. Additionally, a flight controls engineer has an average salary of $99,619, which is higher than the $90,538 average annual salary of a flight test engineer.
The top three skills for a flight controls engineer include C++, FAA and flight control systems. The most important skills for a flight test engineer are control room, data analysis, and test procedures.
| Flight Controls Engineer | Flight Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,619 | $90,538 |
| Hourly rate | $47.89 | $43.53 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 46,807 | 26,384 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The main task of a flight controls engineer is to monitor the instrument systems of an airplane during the flight. Flight controls engineers communicate with dispatchers, assist the pilot, oversee the fuel, and regulate cabin pressure. They work on the design, state flow testing, and module of the flight control system. Their job includes investigating, recommending, and implementing flight control system solutions. They perform data analysis to ensure compliance with FAA. Also, they provide solutions to issues affecting the operations and developments of flights.
A flight test engineer is primarily in charge of testing and overseeing aircraft performances, ensuring every aspect aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other governing agencies' policies and regulations. Their responsibilities revolve around planning and developing efficient test structures and criteria, examining mechanical and electrical systems, coordinating with other staff to gather necessary documentation, assessing risks, and identifying an aircraft's strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, as a flight test engineer, it is essential to analyze data and produce extensive reports that explain all test procedures and observations in detail.
Flight controls engineers and flight test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Flight Controls Engineer | Flight Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $99,619 | $90,538 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $130,000 | Between $66,000 And $123,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Illinois |
| Best paying company | - | Amazon |
| Best paying industry | - | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a flight controls engineer and a flight test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Flight Controls Engineer | Flight Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Aerospace Engineering | Aerospace Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between flight controls engineers' and flight test engineers' demographics:
| Flight Controls Engineer | Flight Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% | Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 13.0% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 10.9% White, 68.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |