AFMC pilot initiative aids test, operational worlds

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WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) --  An Air Force Materiel Command initiative to trade more than 20 unfilled military pilot positions for civilian personnel funding may bring more experience to the test world while putting more pilots in operational aircraft.

The trade allows AFMC officials to hire civilian test pilots, primarily retired military experts, to perform test and evaluation work currently being done with pilots taken from the operational arena, allowing the military operators to get back to the fight.

Spearheaded by Brig. Gen. Perry Lamy, AFMC director of operations, civilian pilots will occupy positions at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Edwards AFB, Calif.; and Holloman AFB, N.M.

"This plan will help achieve an experience balance in the makeup of our test force while enhancing our operations and providing long-term stability," General Lamy said. "Younger testers with recent operational experience are an essential ingredient for bringing military utility to our evaluations. By complimenting this core force with the expertise of former military pilots, we deliver efficiency to our mission."

The general said the civilian pilots will also serve as "gray beards" in their units, providing mentoring to the younger military pilots.

AFMC's pilot exchange initiative comes as the Air Force forecasts its pilot shortage to exist until the end of the decade, according to General Lamy. To make sure combat squadrons are fully manned, the available pool of pilots to support AFMC operations has been reduced significantly, resulting in an instability of test pilot expertise at test centers.

Frequent military rotations, which add to the cost of training and make it difficult to maintain corporate flight-test experience, compound the problem further, he said.

"To date this lack of continuity has been workable, but expensive," the general said. "Inefficient testing translates directly to higher costs for the test customers and, ultimately, the American taxpayer."

Lt. Col. Pete Hughes of AFMC's operations directorate, said the civilian pilots will be used across a wide range of mission areas and unit levels at each test center. Duties and roles include test pilot, chief test pilot, chase support, test pilot instructor, continuation training and evaluation, and flight safety.

To date, six positions have been filled at Edwards AFB, supporting test operations, the F-16 Combined Test Force and the Air Force Test Pilot School, Colonel Hughes said. Recently, the chief of the command's standardization and evaluation division position was converted from a colonel to a GS-15 at Eglin, illustrating the importance of this effort to senior leaders. The remaining positions are expected to be filled by the end of fiscal 2004.

The military-to-civilian pilot conversion initiative is already paying big dividends for our test programs, General Lamy said. The high level of experience these civilian pilots add is translating directly to quick, reliable data collection.

Some customers are making by-name requests, recognizing that experienced pilots can reduce program test costs, he said. Additionally, rookie testers are gaining valuable knowledge from their seasoned counterparts. What is more, a boost in continuity and efficiency has meant reduced training requirements, which allows units to make better use of their scarce resources, said officials.

"The Navy has used civilians in their test force for years with great success," General Lamy said. "By exploiting the training and experience of retired military personnel, uniformed aircrews have been able to concentrate on warfighting and operational support.

"The result has been greater competency, experience and a better value for the U.S. military,” he said. “Leaders in industry have also recognized the value of retired military test pilots; they have capitalized off highly trained and experienced military personnel for years. It only makes sense that the Air Force would begin doing the same."

General Lamy said this practice also dovetails with the Air Force chief of staff's force development concept by allowing more testers to return to the operational Air Force and focusing military test experience where it is needed the most -- operational test and evaluation.

"It enriches our craft of test and enhances our force development," he said. "It not only benefits the acquisition community, but the Air Force as a whole!"

The general added that the plan's continued success is paving the way for planned future conversion opportunities.

"The overall effect of capturing this corporate knowledge within our test force has meant AFMC has been able to deliver more effective and affordable weapon systems to the warfighter, while at the same time reducing the current pilot shortage," he said. "This initiative is just one example of several efforts aimed at improving operations at AFMC's flight test centers." (Courtesy of AFMC News Service)