Test pilot is a term that has become synonymous with the United States Air Force (USAF) or the United States Army in some circles. A test pilot is essentially an air force pilot with extra flying training to actually fly and test new, modified, and experimental aircraft with certain specific maneuvering, called flight test tactics. They are essentially like military test pilots who fly planes for the military in order to see how they will fly under specific conditions in the air.

While this is often looked down on by some as pilots plucking stunts, those that can operate within the rules and regulations of the military often have a leg up in the job market because of the tests that they are able to take. Many are responsible for breaking more than one plane into certain positions while flying the planes and are able to do so with flying precision. There are even some test pilots who are able to fly and land fighter planes without ever leaving the ground!

The career options for test pilots are wide and varied. The primary choices tend to be to become an airline flight attendant or a military aviator. However, there are other ways to go about making this dream a reality, and the level of education required varies across the board. With the right training you can be an airline flight attendant and make a good living, or you can become a military aviator, where your options are vast and the salary is much higher.

If you're looking into becoming a flight test pilot, you have several options available to you. The first choice is to get a bachelor's degree. Although you must have at least a bachelor's degree in any major, flight testing requires a higher level of education so most students choose to go straight to graduate school for their test flying experience. Once you have a degree, you can then take the step of applying for a test pilot position which will involve much more rigorous testing. For this experience you will need to pass a test pilot exam given by the FAA, which is administered two times a year.

Students who choose to go straight into flight test flying after college often find that they have a great deal of flexibility. This is because most test pilots are hired on a trial basis to fly specific types of aircraft until they are ready for more experienced flying. Some colleges even offer test pilot training in the student's own aircraft. That way, if you don't feel right about flying a particular type of aircraft, you can do it in your own car and learn the fundamentals of flying before you put your full test pilot skills to work.

One of the more popular test pilot schools out there is the U.S. Air Force Academy. The Academy offers both aerial combat skills and flight simulator experience. This experience can prove very valuable if you plan to someday fly fighter planes in an actual military context. Another great option is to train for a position in the military, specifically as a military pilot trainer.

The United States Air Force Academy also trains students to be military test pilots. This requires students to go through an intense two-day pilot training class followed by a rigorous final exam. Once accepted, test pilots there undergo additional ground instruction in preparation for their first solo flight. Many test pilots who go through the Air Force Academy later go on to become military fighter pilots. There are also military test pilots who go on to become commercial airline pilots. Either way, these pilots have proven their mettle on the flight field or most are well qualified to take over the controls of an actual jet and deliver a flawless flight.

Some companies hire flight test pilots to fly their experimental aircraft. For example, Spirit Air Inc., a private company out of Texarkana, Texas, uses several qualified test pilots to fly its planes. These test pilots go through rigorous training and are placed in flights which will monitor the progress of the aircraft. Spirit uses these results to determine if the aircraft is suitably safe for flight.