Flight Test Engineering, M.S. at Florida Institute of Technology

The flight test engineering program seeks to expand the student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of aircraft flight testing. Flight test engineering involves performance evaluation of existing aircraft, rather than designing aircraft to meet performance specifications.

Core courses teach engineers how to test an aircraft safely, measure aircraft performance, and determine aircraft flying qualities. Students learn the necessary measurement techniques, instrumentation, and data analysis methods required to collect and reduce flight test data to standard atmospheric conditions and then expand those results for publication in pilots operating handbooks. Flight test results are also used for improving the design of future aircraft. Additionally, students learn how to test and evaluate various aircraft mechanical and electrical subsystems including propulsion, structure and avionics.

With a master’s in flight test engineering from Florida Tech students advance their knowledge of flight operations to prepare for careers in the military, government agencies, and private sector aviation manufacturers.