Sqn Ldr David Firth is a test pilot on the UK Royal Air Force’s Panavia Tornado GR4 based at Boscombe Down. He has been with the RAF for 21 years
How did you work your way up to being a test pilot?
I studied at Imperial College and joined the University of London Air Squadron where I built up 120h of flying time by the time I finished my physics degree, and I joined the RAF straight after that.
I went into fast jet training before doing several tours of duty in different parts of the world. Over the years, I built up a lot of flying experience in different aircraft. This was a good background to test flying, which I had always wanted to do.
I was delighted to be selected for test pilot training at EPNER in France, where I spent a wonderful year before graduating and joining the Fast Jet Test Squadron.
What attracted you to being a test pilot and what are the challenges of the role?
We are the first people to get to see and use cutting-edge equipment which can be very exciting. Recently I was in America and fired the first operational Brimstone missiles during a night flight – no one had ever done that before, so it’s quite a privilege.
The real challenge for us is to get the best out of the equipment we have. The stuff we are testing is going to be on the frontline soon afterwards, so we are aware of a great responsibility to pick out faults and make improvements before it gets there. The UK’s military test pilots also have a reputation that is valued worldwide, so getting involved can open up other career opportunities.
What does the job involve and what skills do you need to do it?
We test all kinds of hardware, software and design modifications in all conditions. We have to assess the risks before we fly to make sure we’ve considered all the safety aspects.
As part of the testing we have to pay attention to all the differences in the way the aircraft handles, how well the equipment works, and any deficiencies before we do a full report. To do the job it is really advantageous to have a wide range of flying experience, both in terms of flying time and different types of aircraft.
One of the key skills required is an understanding of the way aircraft operate on the frontline and the way pilots themselves operate. It also helps to have a keen interest in aircraft and flying generally, and the motivation to learn more.
Source: Flight International
