Flight Test Safety Committee

The Flight Test Safety Committee (FTSC) was formed jointly in November 1994 by members of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), the Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). These and numerous additional organizations presently comprise the FTSC. The purpose of the FTSC is to initiate and sustain a flight test related safety organization intended to promote flight safety, reduce the risk of mishap, promote risk reduction management and continually improve the profession's communication and coordination.
About FTSC

Save the Date - 2026 North American Flight Test Safety Workshop

2026 Flight Test Safety Workshop

5 & 6 May 2026

 

The Flight Test Safety Committee, a joint committee of SFTE, AIAA, and SETP, is pleased to announce that the North American Flight Test Safety Workshop will be held 5 & 6 May 2026 in Fort Worth, TX.

More details will be available later this fall.
Thank you!

Save the Date - 4 & 5 November 2025 European Workshop

EFTSW 2025 Save the Date Flyer

2025 Flight Test Safety Workshop Awards

The Flight Test Safety Committee is proud to announce the Award Winners from the 2025 Flight Test Safety Workshop & Banquet

FTSC Instagram Logo

 

Dave Houle Award for Best Flight Test Safety Workshop Presentation

(Sponsored by Bombardier)

AFCS Single Engine Approach Test Safety Improvement

Tyler (T.J.) Lawrence, Gulfstream Aerospace
Tobias van Esselstyn, Gulfstream Aerospace

Best Paper Pic

(L-R) Bombardier Rep Dave Lewandowski, Award Winners Tobias van Esselstyn & T.J. Lawrence, FTSC Chair Stu Rogerson, Bombardier Rep Roger Huneycutt.

 ***

The Hugh Dryden Flight Test Safety Lifetime Achievement Award

(Sponsored by Textron Aviation)

Mr. William “Tony” Randall, Bell

Dryden Award Winner

(L-R) Textron Aviation Rep. Joe Phillips, Tom Currie (accepting the award on William Randall's behalf), FTSC Chair Stu Rogerson. Not Pictured William Randall.

***

The Tony LeVier Flight Test Safety Award

(Sponsored by Gentex Corporation)

Mr. Chris Glaeser, Cirrus Aircraft

LeVier Award Winner

(L-R) Gentex Corporation Rep. Mark Jones, Award Winner Chris Glaeser, FTSC Chair Stu Rogerson.



Flight Test Safety Fact 25-05

Do you remember when your coaches or your parents told you to “focus on the fundamentals”?  Where did that phrase come from? And is it true that Vince Lombardi said “brilliant at the basics” instead of referring to “the fundamentals”?  I ask those questions in the lead up to next week’s 2025 Flight Test Safety Workshop, which has as its theme “Brilliant at the Basics,” and because this month goes back to its infrequent, aperiodic tradition of publishing a “long read” column on the basics and the fundamentals.  

It is a long read, but I think it’s a good one.  There’s even a link to a questionnaire about the “basics” of flight test and test safety, and if you can make time for the TWO question survey, we’d be very grateful.  Also included as an attachment (AT THE END) is an older article about the same topic, and it presents the second of the two “shapes” that are featured in this article.   

Turbo starts a new mini-series on the podcast, and of course, the Chairman shares his thoughts in the lead up to our Annual Workshop.  

If you have comments, questions, or ideas that won’t fit into the survey, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sincerely,
Mark Jones Jr.
Editor

PS For added security and convenience, you can download the pdf here.