Corps needs 1 more JSF test pilot

[unhappycamper]

Corps needs 1 more JSF test pilot
By Bryan Mitchell - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Aug 19, 2008 6:54:45 EDT

The Navy and Marine Corps are searching for a single pilot to join the ranks of test pilots preparing the Corps’ variant of the Joint Strike Fighter.

The F-35B is modified for short takeoff/vertical landing and will be flown by the Corps and the British Royal Air Force.

The STOVL variant made its initial successful conventional test flight earlier this summer and is expected to fly in the STOVL mode early next year.

The solicitation for a test pilot is part of an ongoing process to create a pool of pilots who will test the F-35B at Lockheed Martin’s Texas-based Joint Strike Fighter facility and serve in one of the aircraft’s first operational squadrons, said Lt. Col. Charles Gray, integrated test force director at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

“We really strive to pick folks that have a reputation of demonstrated and good judgment,” Gray said.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/08/marine_testpilots_080908w/



uhc comment: The Marine Corps Times published the initial search for one good person on August 9th. I'm guessing the response ain't all that good.