Test Pilot School class photo courtesy Capt. Barrett.

“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return” - Leonardo DaVinci. The journey to Test Pilot School (TPS) is long and arduous. The Air Force Institute of Technology is a stop on the educational path of many of the future test pilots and the Center for Space Research and Assurance had the distinct pleasure of reconnecting with a few of our alumni. 

Only two quarters into their 18-month program, our winter 2021 graduates’ academic journey would take a drastic turn. A global pandemic would shake up the norm and force students, faculty, and staff to adapt to social distancing, the use of masks, and limited access to the campus. Three of CSRA’s 2021 graduates have shared their experience as a student at AFIT, their road to TPS, and where they have landed, albeit temporarily. 

Three short years later, these graduates have experienced more than most. Captain Layne “Grinnin” Barrett has always loved flying and it seemed natural for him to navigate toward a fascination with both aeronautical and astronautical engineering. Capt. Barrett received his master’s degree in Astronautical Engineering, his thesis topic was “Applied Reachability Analysis for Time-Optimal Spacecraft Attitude Reorientations.” Capt. Barrett feels that TPS is the best way to marry the two in the form of flight. 

Currently, Capt. Barrett works at the F-35 Joint Program Office serving as the F-35 Mission Systems Test Lead. He would like to stay in flight testing as long as possible, afterwards moving to a traditional flight test unit after his time with the Joint Program Office. Grinnin’s long-term goals include additional test leadership and teaching opportunities within the Air Force. He offers a word of advice: If interested in completing TPS, purse a technical master’s degree and get as much flight experience as possible. 

Capt. Barrett with the X-62 VISTA. (Courtesy photo)

Captain Alexander” Boost” Brown, currently at the 416 FLTS testing the F-16, received his master’s in Aeronautical Engineering in 2021. Capt. Brown’s thesis focused on shock migration on an oscillating straked delta wing using an unsteady Euler solver. His work was used to inform flight testing, helping to understand the driving forces for limit cycles oscillations on the F-16. Reaching 20 years and beyond active duty is his goal and Boost is considering his doctorate options and the commander pipeline. The true goal for his career is to love what he is doing and to have a positive impact on the missions and people under his command. 

Capt. Brown’s advice for anyone interested in completing TPS is to pursue experiences that identify you as a good candidate. Boost shares, “I did not have flight test experience before TPS, but I concentrated my AFIT master’s classes around topics used at TPS and in-flight test such as flight controls and aeroelasticity.” A huge benefit of attending AFIT is that it made TPS academics easier and allowed him to concentrate on the unfamiliar parts like conducting test. 

Capt. Brown. (Courtesy photo)

Captain Jacob Olsen is currently assigned as the mission lead in the air-to-air section at the 780^th weapons squadron at Eglin AFB. He received his master’s in Aeronautical Engineering and his thesis topic was “Trajectory Optimization of Six Degree-of-Freedom, Path-Constrained Reentry Resupply Capsules.” Capt. Olsen always dreamed of flying; moreover, he wanted to participate in flight testing. He would love to take that dream into space and participate in human space flight testing. 

Capt. Olsen has his eyes on the future; flying is in his blood, and he would relish the opportunity to get squadron command. He is also throwing his hat in the ring for NASA’s astronaut candidate program. If you are interested in pursuing TPS, then Capt. Olsen suggests getting as much test experience as you can and, if you are studying engineering, a technical master’s degree is very important. Lastly, he shares that confidence and people skills go a long way in helping with the application interviews. Studying at AFIT helped him navigate the strenuous academic environment of TPS and helped hone his time management and study skills.

The Center for Space Research and Assurance extends a hearty congratulations on the achievements of these graduates.  

From left: Capt. Babcock, Capt. Barrett, Capt. Brown, and Capt. Olsen. (Courtesy photo)