What does a test pilot do?

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

A test pilot operates and evaluates aircraft to determine its quality and safety. Their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing aircraft data and specifications, assessing the aircraft's features, documenting every procedure, and making a list of recommendations to improve the aircraft's overall quality and performance. They may also evaluate various instruments and systems, performing maintenance checks as necessary. Being a test pilot requires expertise and skills, which is my most test pilots are employed under government agencies and have undergone special training.

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Test pilot responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real test pilot resumes:

Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
Perform production/experimental flight tests of aircraft and systems to assure compliance with FAA.
Balance schedule maintenance activities with the mission demand to ensure combat asset availability.
React with expedite mission management and delegate to the aircrews for efficient no-notice helicopter launches.
Develop regulations and procedures for airlift management.

Test pilot skills and personality traits

We calculated that 26% of Test Pilots are proficient in FAA, Pilot-In-Command, and Aircraft Maintenance. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Problem-solving skills, and Quick reaction time.

We break down the percentage of Test Pilots that have these skills listed on their resume here:

FAA, 26%
Graduate of FAA Safety Management System and Accident Investigation courses FAA Academy Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Pilot-In-Command, 12%
Perform Pilot-in-Command duties under tactical and non tactical conditions.
Aircraft Maintenance, 8%
Managed the Troop's aircraft maintenance ensuring the safe return to service of all aircraft after maintenance actions were completed.
Logistics, 6%
Exercised oversight on production/quality control, logistics processes, and material management.
Flight Operations, 6%
Piloted, commanded and maintained cargo helicopters/aircraft in support of military flight operations.
Aircraft Systems, 5%
Performed maintenance and repair of aircraft systems on operational aircraft.

"faa," "pilot-in-command," and "aircraft maintenance" are among the most common skills that test pilots use at work. You can find even more test pilot responsibilities below, including:

Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a test pilot to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what test pilots do because "pilots must speak clearly when conveying information to air traffic controllers and other crew members." Additionally, a test pilot resume shows how test pilots use communication skills: "directed all programs associated with safety, logistics, communications, administration, and recruiting and retention. "

Problem-solving skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling test pilot duties is problem-solving skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "pilots must be able to identify complex problems and figure out appropriate solutions." According to a test pilot resume, here's how test pilots can utilize problem-solving skills in their job responsibilities: "resolved numerous conflicts arising in daily flight operations. "

Quick reaction time. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of test pilots is quick reaction time. This skill is critical to many everyday test pilot duties, as "pilots must respond quickly, and with good judgment, to any impending danger." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "supervised 10-20 aircraft mechanics at any one time to facilitate the most efficient and cost effective maintenance program possible. "

See the full list of test pilot skills

The three companies that hire the most test pilots are:

Lockheed Martin4 test pilots jobs
Pacific Architects and Engineers
4 test pilots jobs
Calspan4 test pilots jobs

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Compare different test pilots

Test pilot vs. Air ambulance captain

An aviator, also known as a pilot, operates aircraft for commercial or private use. Although their duties vary upon their company or industry of employment, it usually entails performing regular inspections before and after every flight, coordinating with staff, maintaining an active communication line with air traffic controller, determining routes and schedules, analyzing flight plans, and monitoring the weather conditions. Moreover, as an aviator, it is essential to be proactive and professional in dealing with issues and concerns.

We looked at the average test pilot salary and compared it with the wages of an air ambulance captain. Generally speaking, air ambulance captains are paid $45,409 lower than test pilots per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between test pilots and air ambulance captains are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like faa, aircraft maintenance, and logistics.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between test pilots and air ambulance captain. For instance, test pilot responsibilities require skills such as "pilot-in-command," "flight operations," "aircraft systems," and "test procedures." Whereas a air ambulance captain is skilled in "ems," "single pilot," "patient transport," and "lear." This is part of what separates the two careers.

On average, air ambulance captains reach similar levels of education than test pilots. Air ambulance captains are 1.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Learn more about test pilots vs aviators.

Test pilot vs. Captain/check airman

A career as a captain/check airman brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a test pilot. In fact, captain/check airmen salary is $23,510 lower than the salary of test pilots per year.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that test pilot responsibilities requires skills like "pilot-in-command," "aircraft maintenance," "logistics," and "flight operations." But a captain/check airman might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "passenger safety," "line checks," "flight training," and "unscheduled."

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Captain/check airmen tend to reach lower levels of education than test pilots. In fact, they're 8.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Test pilot vs. Aviator

On average, aviators earn higher salaries than test pilots, with a $1,157 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on test pilots and aviators resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "aircraft maintenance," "flight operations," and "aircraft systems.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a test pilot is likely to be skilled in "faa," "pilot-in-command," "logistics," and "test procedures," while a typical aviator is skilled in "flight safety," "flight training," "federal aviation administration," and "emergency procedures."

When it comes to education, aviators tend to earn lower degree levels compared to test pilots. In fact, they're 9.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Test pilot vs. Plane captain

Plane captains typically earn lower pay than test pilots. On average, plane captains earn a $44,669 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, test pilots and plane captains both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "aircraft maintenance," "aircraft systems," and "aircraft components. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A test pilot uses "faa," "pilot-in-command," "logistics," and "flight operations." Plane captains are more likely to have duties that require skills in "hand tools," "cleanliness," "maintenance manuals," and "fod. "plane captains reach lower levels of education compared to test pilots, in general. The difference is that they're 12.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of test pilot

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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