Test pilot selection board meets for fiscal year 2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Sean Dennison

The Corps' test pilot selection board is scheduled to convene Feb. 23, 2010, to review applicants for this fiscal year.

According to Marine Administrative Message 20/10, pilots must apply by mail for the test pilot school located in Patuxent River, Md., by Feb. 16, 2010.

Whereas MarAdmin 417/09 targeted occupational specialties for the 7500 field, this year has no targeted occupations and aviators from every category are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be active duty captains or majors with 1,000 hours of flight experience or more. Waivers may be granted in cases where unique individual qualifications exist. However, pilots applying for the F-35B operational test pilot position must have 10-13 years of commissioned service, be a Harrier, Hornet or Prowler pilot with a minimum of 500 type-model-series hours or a division flight leader or mission commander for Prowlers.

Applicants need to complete two years on station by June 1 to qualify for the first Test Pilot School class. Completion of college physics or mechanics and college-level calculus is required, and a bachelor's degree in engineering, physical science, computer science or mathematics is recommended. Applications must include college transcripts and a current official photo.

All applicants for a test pilot school seat at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., need a letter of endorsement from their command specifically describing their flying abilities and aviation leadership qualities.

Packages must be addressed as follows:

Commandant of the Marine Corps

Attn: FY-10-1 TPS Selection Board

3280 Russell Road

Quantico, VA 22134-5103

Late applications will be held for consideration for the next TPS board, and officers who have submitted their package in the past should contact their monitor to determine whether to submit a new package or update the previous one.

For more information, contact Maj. Bart Ludlow at bart.ludlow@navy.mil, Capt. David Odell at 703-784-9267 or see MarAdmin 20/10.