International Test Pilots School

The International Test Pilots School Canada (ITPS Canada) located in London, Ontario, is one of the eight test pilot schools recognized globally by the international Society of Experimental Test Pilots and the Society of Flight Test Engineers.[2][3] The school trains test pilots and flight test engineers. It is the first civilian test pilot school in Canada.[4][5] ITPS Canada is registered as an Authorized Training Organization by the European Aviation Safety Agency.[6] It shares some facilities with and neighbours the Jet Aircraft Museum at London International Airport.[7][8]

International Test Pilots School
TypeTest pilot school
IndustryAerospace
Founded1986 (1986) [1]
Headquarters
London, Ontario
,
Canada
Area served
Global
ServicesTest pilot and flight test engineer training
Websitehttps://www.itpscanada.com

History

ITPS first offered flight test training in 1986, when established by a previous senior staff member of the Empire Test Pilots School in the United Kingdom.[1] The school was first located in Cranfield in England, working alongside the prestigious College of Aeronautics at Cranfield University.

In 2001, the school moved its operations to the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment located at CFB Cold Lake before moving to its current location at London International Airport, Ontario in 2005. In 2017, the school was recognized by the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.[2] In 2019, ITPS Canada hosted the international 8th Annual Flight Test Seminar.[9] Operations include a 10,000 square foot modern offices and classrooms and a 27,000 square foot hangar.[4]

Training

The curriculum includes both long and short courses focusing on flight tests. Flight test graduate and diploma courses are offered, the former typically for military students.[4] Test planning, test flying, data analysis and report writing are all part of the training.[7] Students from around the world are trained using various military fighters, training jets, light airplanes, helicopters and flight simulators.[4] One of Australia's first RAAF female pilots, Robyn Clay-Williams, trained at ITPS[10]

Staff

ITPS Canada has staff members from multiple countries including academics, retired military veterans, maintenance personnel and test pilot graduates in the field of flight testing and flight test engineering.[11] Notable staff over the years included retired Canadian Space Agency astronaut and pilot Bjarni Tryggvason who flew on Space Shuttle Discovery.[12]

Aircraft

As of February 2023, ITPS Canada has the following aircraft registered with Transport Canada and operate as Nav Canada airline designator SA, and telephony STALLION.[13][14]

Aircraft
Number Origin
Rotary wing
MBB Bo 105 1 West Germany
Sikorsky S-76 1 United States
Bell 206 1 United States / Canada
Fixed wing
Aero L-29 Delfín 3 Czech Republic
Aero L-39C 4 Czech Republic
Beechcraft 60 Duke 2 United States
Brasov IAR 823 1 Romania
Cirrus SR22 1 United States
Errol D Mann Long EZ 1 United States
Hawker Hunter T75 1 United Kingdom
Rockwell 700 1 Japan / United States
Rutan Long-EZ 1 United States
Sukhoi Su-29 1 Russia

See also

References
  1. Tegler, Eric. "Air Force Space Command Tapped America's 'Other' Test Pilot School To Start Up A Space Force Flight Test Team". Forbes. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  2. "SETP Recognized Test Pilot Schools | About SETP | About SETP". www.setp.org. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  3. Society for Test Flight Engineers, STFE (12 October 2019). "International Flight Test News" (PDF). Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  4. Erdos, Robert. "International Test Pilots School: A very technical business". Skies Mag. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  5. "ITPS wins contract to train RCAF test pilots, engineers". Wings Magazine. 2020-09-22. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  6. European Union Aviation Safety Agency (11 August 2020). "List of Approved Training Organisations under EASA oversight" (PDF). Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  7. "Fundamental Approach". Wings Magazine. 2010-07-14. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  8. "Uncovering Hidden Gems - Guest Posting | London International Airport". flylondon.ca. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  9. "London's ITPS hosts international flight test community". Skies Mag. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  10. "Female RAAF pilot wants test pilot job". Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). 1993-03-04. p. 11. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  11. Events, UKi Media & (2020-07-23). "Training the next generation of test pilots". Aerospace Testing International. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  12. The University of British Columbia, UBC. "Bjarni Tryggvason | UBC Applied Science". apsc.ubc.ca. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  13. "ICAO Designators for Canadian Aircraft Operating Agencies, Aeronautical Authorities and Services" (PDF). Nav Canada. 2023-05-04. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-02-28. ITPS Canada: SA, STALLION
  14. "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Quick Search Result for ITPS Canada". Transport Canada. Retrieved 2023-02-28.

43.03099°N 81.15552°W / 43.03099; -81.15552

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