How to Become a Test Pilot

Aviation job helps to ensure aircraft prototypes are in safe condition for flight.

John McDermott

Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Test pilots walk toward a Leonardo SW4 helicopter equipped with Daedalean’s visual air traffic detection system. [Credit: Daedalean]

Key Takeaways:

Test pilots are crucial for aircraft safety, rigorously testing prototypes and new airframes to identify irregularities for engineers and production staff.
Becoming a test pilot is demanding, often requiring extensive flight experience (e.g., 1,000+ military hours), advanced STEM degrees (e.g., engineering), and specialized training from military or civilian test pilot schools.
While many are military-trained, civilian opportunities exist for highly experienced pilots with appropriate certifications, and the role offers a median income over $100,000, with top professionals earning significantly more.

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Test pilots have an opportunity like no other. They get to ensure that aircraft prototypes and newly built airframes are safe for further development, test flying, and eventual commercial operation.

Safety pilots also have a significant responsibility. They must put an airplane through a range of maneuvers and operations beyond normally expected and denote any irregularities and problems that must be fixed by engineers and production staff.