SFTP: A Modest Proposal
A single "Society of Flight Test Professionals" (SFTP)...
I've been thinking about this for a while... a long while.
Some recent conversations have encouraged me to formalize my thoughts and start pushing them out for broader discussion and, hopefully, action.
This is a work of my own doing. I am not representing SFTE, my Chapter, my employer, or any other agency/organization.
I'm just an individual hoping for a more safe, effective, and efficient future.
See the link below for the full PDF, including comparisons of the current organizations: the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) and the Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE).
EXCERPT:
A MODEST PROPOSAL FOR PREVENTING THE DILUTION OF EFFORT AMONG LIKE-MINDED PROFESSIONALS AND FOR MAKING THE SOCIETY MOST BENEFICIAL TO FLIGHT TEST
BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT
Given that?
1. Flight test is a unique discipline among technical endeavors
2. Flight test is fundamentally a team sport
3. Flight test is a complex activity that requires the telling of stories to distill its patterns and principles
The formation of a singular Society of Flight Test Professionals (SFTP) will best serve the improvement of safety, the development of flight test teams, and the sharing of information.
PhD PrEng SFTE Fellow LtCol (Ret)
10 个月Regardless of my personal preference, I just don't see it happening. The basis for the two societies is different. SETP is all about the prestige of being a test pilot while SFTE accepts anyone involved in flight test to be part of the society. If anything, I think that they can be combined into a common administration and hold joint symposiums, but they will have different scholarships, trusts, etc. and consequently different boards to manage them. SFTE really is the Society of Flight Test Engineering where the focus is on all the engineering disciplines rather than the individual as is the case with SETP. We already do joint symposiums so nothing much needs to change except possibly combining the annual international symposiums since the presentation lineup is almost identical and the banquet could also combine the awards from the two societies. It will certainly make it more cost effective for people who have had to attend both in the past.
Sojourner | Mentor | SFTE President | Fellow | Flight Test Professional | Aviator | PE
11 个月For many reasons, the time has come to move forward on this concept of SFTP! I don't view this as merging with SETP, rather it's about expanding the SFTE tent to encompass and acknowledge the diverse spectrum of professional testers who are or should be a part of SFTE/P (to include test aviators and TPS grads not eligible to join SETP.) By its nature, this implies a renewed emphasis on educating and guiding FTPs and their organizations to adopt professional standards.
AeroTEC - Aerospace Testing Engineering & Certification
6 年When we see, time after time, Test Pilots and Flight Test Engineers share the stage at symposiums to present their amazing work its hard to say this doesn't make sense.
Pastor at Presbyterian Church (USA)
6 年Late Congrats! How are you and the family. Retired in Sptg for the third time. Will stick this time!Gene
SFTE Fellow | Principal Flight Test Engineer @ Hermeus
6 年Tangential, but relevant to the question if "why do professional societies exist?"