The Test Pilot School of Russia (TPS) was founded in 1947 on the basis of The Flight Research Institute by the Decree of the USSR Council of Ministers.
The TPS is the only educational institution in Russia on training test pilots and specialists in the field of experimental aviation who are necessary for research institutes, design bureaus, enterprises of aviation industry, and foreign specialists as well.
Professional education of aircrew includes theoretical syllabus and flight training.
The syllabus is made to meet the requirements to test pilots of experimental aviation enterprises and includes one year training for high education pilots (high education Air Force pilot training colleges and Civil Aviation).
The theoretical syllabus includes:
- studying the main directions of development and improvement of the aircraft aerodynamics and their power plants;
- studying the ground works methodology and modern aircraft testing, their power plants and aircraft equipment ;
- extending knowledge of navigation, structure of flight navigation equipment, automatic control systems, flight navigation complexes, testing methodology.
- studying standard legal acts on flight test work at experimental aviation enterprises;
- studying structure fatigue, technical and flight operation of aircraft types designed for mastering.
Flight training program consists of following parts:
- learning and mastering flight skills on aircraft new for students during zone and circle flying;
- critical (non-standard) flying regimes : a continued shut-down engine take-off, one-shut-down engine piloting, air restarting, breaking up to stalling, stalling recovery, spin, engine shut-down landing and so on;
- instrument flying;
- stability and controllability flying.
Following the results of the first flying every unknown aircraft type the students should make a course thesis on cockpit ergonomics, stability and controllability evaluation.
Having completed flight training programs and flight data processed the students write the second course thesis on aircraft stability and controllability, and f light technical performance determining on the base of their own flights.
At TPS of Russia the students are given a wide range knowledge and practical experience allowing them to perform various aircraft tests at high professional level. Professional oriented training and refreshing course according to Level 4 ICAO on the program «English radio-communication phraseology» for international airways (Certificate of Federal service in the field of transport of Ministry of Transport, license of Federal Service in the field of Education and Science).
