Congratulations to Dr. AL on this high honor.  Here is the Fellow write-up from the event:

Dr. Allen L. “AL” Peterson is the President and CEO of the National Test Pilot School. Graduating from West Point, Al flew Attack helicopters operationally in Air Cavalry units in Hawaii, Korea, and Texas. Al then started a series of test pilot tours including attending USNTPS at Pax River; DT/OT testing Apache and Cobra helicopters at Fort Rucker; Airworthiness Testing Apaches and Cobras at Edwards AFB; Airworthiness and R&D testing of Chinook, Lynx, Gazelle, and Sea King helicopters on Exchange with Her Majesty’s Forces at Boscombe Down; and R&D testing Apache and Black Hawk helicopters as the Chief Test Pilot at Ft Eustis. Retiring in 2002, Al joined SNC for 9 years in various management positions including some Systems testing. In 2011 Al was appointed NTPS President and CEO and led the school through its stabilization and resurgence; championing numerous initiatives including the first test pilot school in the world to attain EASA certification, a major aircraft/technology refresh program, the FTE graduate assistant program, and the world’s first STEM Flight Test Camp. During his career, Al worked over 80 test programs, flew over 80 different aircraft types, and continues to develop flight test personnel the world over.

Dr. Allen "AL" Peterson pictured third from left. Photo Credit: setp.org

The National Test Pilot School (NTPS) completed its sixth annual one week Flight Test Camp (FTC) for 19 students from seven local high schools from 18-22 June 2018. The focus of NTPS FTC is STEM oriented and three-fold: 1) introduce high school students to engineering generally and flight test engineering specifically as possible fields of study and careers; 2) introduce our local young people to the amazing array of high tech aerospace companies that exist right in their back yard at the Mojave Air and Space Port (MASP); and 3) show the students the numerous interesting and exciting jobs they could have with an engineering background. 

To do this NTPS developed a three-pronged approach such that in a typical day the students get some engineering academics, a flight in an aircraft or simulator, and a tour of a local aerospace company. The FTS students received lectures from NTPS staff instructors on aerodynamics, flight controls, handling qualities, performance, energy management, and job paths for Flight Test Engineers and Test Pilots. Every student flew a sortie in an airplane and a helicopter and learned how to take data, analyze the results and compare them against civil certification requirements. The students also got hands-on flying experience in four different simulators, some test directing time in the telemetry room and a hands-on Night vision Goggle experience. The MASP staff arranged student tours at the Fire Station, the Control Tower, the Orbital/ATK L-1011 launch vehicle, Virgin Galactic, Scaled Composites, and Stratolaunch. The tours were spectacular and thanks to very enthusiastic, professional briefers, the students were both awed and inspired.

NTPS would like to thank MASP and all the companies that provided the great tours. We would also like to say a special thanks our sponsors Mojave Air and Space Port, SMMA Insurance, Keiffe and Sons Ford, Flight Research Inc., Mission Bank, and Stater Brothers. NTPS has dedicated its efforts for the Flight Test Camp to the memory of Mr. Mike Hill, the Flight Test Camp’s first Director and biggest fan.

On June 14, 2018, NTPS celebrated the graduation of a new class of 6 Test Pilots and 6 Flight Test Engineers.

Front Row (L to R):

• Lieutenant Commander Stephen Collins, Royal Navy. Completed the Systems Professional course as a Test Pilot.
• Flight Lieutenant Linda McLean, Royal Air Force. Completed the Systems Professional course as a Flight Test Engineer (FTE).
• Flight Lieutenant Dan Granger, Royal Air Force. Completed the Systems Professional course as a Test Pilot.
• Captain Jaejin Bae, Republic of Korea Air Force. Completed the Systems Professional course as a Test Pilot.
• Captain Minsoo Kim, Republic of Korea Air Force. Completed the Systems Professional course as a Flight Test Engineer.

Back Row (L to R):

• Captain Josef Bayoud, Lufthansa Airlines. Completed the EASA Cat 2 Fixed Wing Test Pilot Course.
• Lieutenant Simone Caretta, Italian Air Force. Completed the Fixed wing Professional Course as a Flight Test Engineer, EASA Category 1 FTE and received a Masters Degree in Flight Test Engineering.
• Squadron Leader Adam Curd, Royal Air Force. Completed the Systems Professional course as a Test Pilot.
• Mr. Zach Kraus, Icon Aircraft. Completed the NTPS Graduate Assistant Program. Graduated from the Fixed Wing Professional Course as a Flight Test Engineer and received a Masters Degree in Flight Test Engineering.
• Captain Stefano Meneguolo, Italian Air Force. Completed the Fixed Wing Professional course as an Experimental Test Pilot and Distinguished Graduate. EASA Category 1 Test Pilot and received a Masters Degree in Flight Test and Evaluation.
• Major Sharon Kislev, Israeli Air Force. Completed the Fixed Wing Professional Course as a Flight Test Engineer, and received a Masters Degree in Flight Test Engineering.
  Major Munjang Bae, Republic of Korea Air Force. Completed the Systems Professional course as a Test Pilot.

In addition to graduation certificates and diplomas, Captain Meneguolo (R) received the John Bishop Award as the top Test Pilot Graduate and Lieutenant Caretta (L) received the Ron Bradley Award as the top Flight Test Engineer.

On January 17, 2018, NTPS accepted delivery of it’s newest aircraft, a two-seat MiG-21UM. The aircraft was ferried, in seven flights, from Wilmington Delaware by NTPS Vice President/COO Jim “JB” Brown. The aircraft is a segment of an ongoing program to update the NTPS fleet and provide unique training opportunities for Test Pilot and Flight Test Engineer students. This particular aircraft began it’s career in the Czechoslovakian Air Force in 1972 and was imported to the United States in 1992. The MiG will undergo a brief down period for inspections and FAA approval, then will enter the curriculum. The MiG is an excellent example of 3rd Generation fighter aircraft flight controls and handling characteristics, which predate the highly augmented and fly-by-wire systems currently in use. In addition, it’s top speed of Mach 2.05 allows a flight envelope large enough to demonstrate the effects of transonic and supersonic speeds on the aircraft.

On December 15, 2017 the latest Test Pilot and Flight Test Engineer graduates were honored in a formal ceremony. The graduates included year-long Professional Course and EASA Category 2 students. Also celebrated were graduates receiving their Masters Degrees.

Shown from Left to Right:

• Captain Jacob Merry, Australian Army, received his rotary wing Professional Course Test Pilot Certificate as well as a Masters Degree in Flight Test and Evaluation.
• Mr. Kijin Lee, Korean Aerospace Industries, received an EASA Category 1 Rotary Wing Test Pilot Certificate.
• M.iio Pasquale DiBaise, Italian Air Force, received his EASA Lead Flight Test Engineer Certificate.
• Squadron Leader Neil Philp, Royal Air Force, received his EASA Category 2 Fixed Wing Test Pilot Certificate.
• Captain Davey Blancquaert, Belgian Air Force, received his EASA Category 2 Fixed Wing Test Pilot Certificate.
• Ms. Stephanie Luongo, World View Enterprises, received her Professional Course Flight Test Engineer Certificate and a Masters Degree in Flight Test Engineering.
• Captain Matthew Chapman, Australian Army, received his Rotary Wing Flight Test Engineer Diploma and a Masters Degree in Flight Test Engineering. Matt was also designated as Distinguished Graduate.

In addition to graduation certificates and diplomas, Captain Merry received the John Bishop Award as the top Test Pilot Graduate and Captain Chapman received the Ron Bradley Award as the top Flight Test Engineer.

Other recent graduates honored at the ceremony, but not in attendance were Josef Bayoud, Lufthansa Airlines; Ilke Breva, WTD-61; Nenad Jankovic, Saab; Georg Mitscher, DLR; Adrian Müller, DLR; and Michael Wiedmann, WTD-61.

A second Red Bulletin magazine article titled "THE PILOTS" features the outstanding instructor and student pilots of the National Test Pilot School.

Photo credit: Jim Krantz

NTPS, COO & Test Pilot Instructor Jim "JB" Brown, and Professional Course student Marco Lisi featured in The Red Bulletin magazine article "NERVES OF STEEL: MOJAVE DESERT TEST PILOTS"

Photo credit: Jim Krantz