A new civil flight test school has opened at the Mojave Air and Space Port in southern California. The International Flight Test Institute’s first group of students begin their studies in the six-month flying qualities course early next year, according to president Bill Korner. “This was developed as a result of our customers wanting us to pursue this,” he told AIN. “There is a continual need for civilian test pilots all over the world. Most previously had come from the military, but there are not that many now.”

The Institute was launched by the same group that owns Mojave-based Flight Research, an upset-training and flight test, certification and support provider. Teaching staff are military test pilots, former astronauts and aircraft manufacturers' flight-test crew members. The available fleet of about 40 research and training aircraft includes helicopters and the Sabreliner 65 business jet that is flown in Flight Research’s upset-training program. Flight Research also leases the aircraft to another Mojave-based civil test pilot training facility, National Test Pilot School. Courses offered will cover aerodynamic engineering, including evaluation and definition of flying qualities to certification. Classes range from two-week refresher training to 12-month professional studies. Custom programs are also available.