QinetiQ’s Empire Test Pilots’ School has signed a training agreement with the Republic of Korea Air Force, bringing South Korean students to the UK’s oldest test pilot school for the first time.
Under the agreement, four RoKAF personnel, two flight test pilots and two flight test engineers, will join ETPS at MOD Boscombe Down for six months of advanced study following a year of initial training in Korea. The students will have the opportunity to fly new aircraft types and train alongside UK, NATO, and other international peers.
ETPS has been training military test pilots since 1943 and has produced more than 1,500 graduates from 32 countries. Notable alumni include British astronaut Tim Peake and French Air and Space Force officer Sophie Adenot.
Major Seo Young Yeop of the RoKAF was quoted as saying: “With its long-standing reputation for excellence, access to a diverse fleet of platforms and its proven track record of delivering mission-focused training, ETPS provides the ideal environment for our future test professionals to thrive.”
He added: “The opportunity to learn within such an internationally respected programme will equip our teams with the advanced skills and global perspective they need, to meet the demands of modern flight test operations.”
Commander Andrew Johnston RN, Commanding Officer of ETPS, said: “We are committed to delivering exceptional flight test training that brings together expertise, innovation, and international collaboration. We look forward to welcoming the initial test pilots and flight test engineers from the Republic of Korea Air Force.”
The ETPS is seen as part of the big four TPS I understand, the others being those of the USAF, the USN, and France.
I still remember a documentary in the 80s called “Test Pilot” ( I think ) which followed events at Boscombe.
And it was the nearest fast jst location to me, so i used to hang around there a lot, including at night hoping to catch Black project stuff! 🤪
Including around 1994 and the Boscombe Down incident.
If our pilots are gna b trained by the Indian air force
How can we train south Korean pilots?
Maybe I’ve got it wrong n some1 can explain it to me.
Because South Korea is sending 2 pilots 2 engineers. This a test pilot school, not a training school for new.pilots. it looks like they have retired retired thie hawk.
Thank U for clearing that up for me coll 👌