Wings Over Camarillo has always been a fun-filled celebration of aviation, as well as a tribute to the pilots who fearlessly push the boundaries of flight. This year, Wings Over Camarillo is proud to honor a special group of aviators whose courage, skill, and dedication has been instrumental in making the skies a safer place for all: test pilots.
In this post, we’ll be gearing up for one of the best airshows in California by highlighting some must-know background and history of test pilots. Get ready for take off!
What Do Test Pilots do?
You can think of test pilots as pioneers of aviation, brave folks who feel right at home tens of thousands of feet above the ground. They are simultaneously trailblazers, engineers, and total experts in the cockpit. Their job? Making sure every aircraft is safe, reliable, and ready to soar.
There are generally two main types of test pilots:
- Production Test Pilots: Give the last sign-off to aircraft before they’re delivered to their final stop.
- Experimental Test Pilots: Test brand new or specially modified aircraft to determine safety, performance, and design.
Why Are Test Pilots Important?
- Safety – These brave men and women work hard in order to identify and minimize risk for others, making sure every new, modified, or experimental aircraft meets strict safety and regulatory standards before officially entering service.
- Innovation – Test pilots regularly push the limits of new aircraft, opening up the way for groundbreaking advancements in design and technology.
- Inspiration – Test pilots embody a spirit of courage and dedication that we can all look up to, inspiring future generations of aviators and engineers.
A Brief-ish History of Test Pilots
The Dawn of Aviation
The Wright Brothers made the first successful flight in 1903— from there, it was only up for pilots interested in testing the limits of this new technology. These first test pilots were often military aviators who were experimenting with the stability, control, and performance of new aircraft.
World War I
Test pilots became incredibly important during the First World War, where they were needed to evaluate newly-developed aircraft for combat readiness. Speed, maneuverability, and reliability were the name of the game for these biplanes and early monoplanes. Many of them harnessed brand new aviation technology that was constantly evolving throughout the war.
Between the Wars
Aircraft technology blossomed between World War I and II, leading to an expansion of the test pilot role. The traditional biplane design— with two sets of wings stacked on top of each other— gave way to the sleeker and more maneuverable monoplane. In addition to testing new materials and construction techniques, many test pilots also flew the freshly-developed bombers, fighters, and reconnaissance planes that pushed the boundaries of operational range, speed, performance, and altitude.
World War II
By the onset of World War II, test pilots were tackling the challenges of faster, more complex aircraft. They were kept busy by new engine designs, airframes, and aerodynamic innovations, including swept wings and jet propulsion systems. Strategic bombing and air superiority efforts were greatly bolstered through testing in radar, navigation, and defensive armament. It was during this period that several nations became more serious about investing time and resources into their test pilots; the UK established the Empire Test Pilots’ School, the United States following with its Flight Test Training Unit soon after.
Post-War & The Space Age
The development of jet propulsion engines began during the latter years of World War II, rocketing aviation technology into a new age. Test pilots began pioneering supersonic speeds and high-altitude operations, eventually turning into the first astronauts of the Space Age. As the race to get off-planet heated up, these pilots embarked upon high-risk missions and tested new propulsion systems, life support technologies, and spacecraft designs, paving the way for long-duration missions and countless future space exploration endeavors. America’s first efforts to get humans in space, Project Mercury, used a team known as the “Original Seven” that was composed entirely of skilled military test pilots.
Modern Test Pilots
Whether they’re testing advanced military technology, passenger airliners, or experimental aerospace vehicles, today’s test pilots continue to push the boundaries of aviation and aerospace technology. These brave men and women do the world a great service, and we can’t wait to showcase them at this year’s Wings Over Camarillo!
Celebrate Test Pilots at Wings Over Camarillo
Interested in learning more about the countless feats of test pilots? Join us at this year’s Wings Over Camarillo airshow on August 17th and 18th for some high-flying fun at California’s top airshow! Check out hundreds of aircraft, chat with real pilots, and watch as performers expertly soar through Camarillo’s bluebird skies. This year’s lineup of Grand Marshalls includes highly-decorated test pilots, who you can meet in the STEM Pavilion! We can’t wait to see you there.
Click here to grab your tickets before they fly away!