Navy Officer Subspecialty · Aviation
5403 Test Pilot
An officer subspecialty earned alongside a primary designator, marking advanced education or experience in this field.
Overview
Test pilots conduct structured flight evaluations of aircraft performance, handling qualities, systems operation, and safety. They work with engineering teams to plan test points, manage flight risk, analyze results, and validate aircraft changes.
Core Skills
- experimental flight operations
- aircraft performance evaluation
- test point execution
- flight data analysis
- risk management
- crew resource management
- aviation safety management
- technical test reporting
- emergency procedure execution
Civilian Software & Tools
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Microsoft Office software
- Aeronautical charts
- AeroPlanner
- Airdata
- Airline Pilots Daily Aviation Log PPC
- AirSmith FlightPrompt
- ArduPilot Mission Planner
Civilian Career Paths
- Commercial Aviation
- Aviation Management
- Training and Education
- Project Management
Training & Development
Getting Started
- FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate
- FAA Instrument Rating
- FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate
Career Growth
- FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate
- Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
Also Common
- FAA Flight Instructor Certificate
- FAA Flight Engineer Certificate
- Aviation Safety Professional Certificate
What the Work Involves
- Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
- Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties, as required.
- Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
- Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
- Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Related Occupations
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
- Air Traffic Controllers
- Airfield Operations Specialists
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: a four-year degree or equivalent experience.
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
Report an error on this page