Calspan Wins Five-Year Contract at U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School

Buffalo, N.Y. – February 24, 2020

Calspan Corporation has been awarded a five-year contract with the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (USAF TPS) at Edwards Air Force Base, California.  The USAF TPS is where the Air Force’s top pilots, navigators, and engineers are trained to conduct flight tests and generate the data needed to carry out test missions of America’s current and future military aircraft and airborne systems. As they have for the past 35 years, Calspan’s highly advanced variable-stability Learjets and experienced instructor test pilots will continue to be an integral part of the USAF TPS curriculum.

This contract continues the half century relationship between Calspan and the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. “We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with AFTPS,” said Calspan CEO and Test Pilot, Lou Knotts. “This contract reinforces the value Calspan brings to the school and we look forward to participating in the ever-evolving curriculum used to train the next-generation of flight testers.”

Calspan has had a full-time staff at Edwards Air Force base since 2000 and operates the Variable stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft (VISTA) NF-16 aircraft and variable stability Learjets for the Test Pilot School.  All Calspan pilots are former US military pilots, most of whom are graduates of U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School or other military test pilot schools and bring a wealth of test flying experience to the USAF TPS curriculum.

About Calspan
For more than 75 years, Calspan has been providing research and testing services in the aviation and transportation industries. Internationally recognized for safety research and innovation, the company’s headquarters is located in Buffalo, NY, housing a variety of research and testing facilities, including a transonic wind tunnel, ground vehicle crash testing, dynamic sled testing and research, and tire research and performance testing. Calspan conducts flight-testing, flight training, and aircraft modifications in Niagara Falls, NY where they own a fleet of seven airborne testbeds. Calspan also has prototype test device manufacturing capabilities in Newport News, Virginia, as well as force measurement equipment manufacturing capabilities in San Diego, California.

Date Posted

2/24/20

Topic

Company News Flight & Wind Tunnel