Any one hiring Uav test pilots?

[klique]

I am willing to put in some major time and effort.I love to build test tweak and fly some of the fastest E powerd Wings in the world.
Some of my fastest production models have ben clocked at 175 mph.

I need to put my skills to good use for someone that will apreciate it.
Basicly I am tired of being a electrical contractor ,and want to do the things I love the most.
Fly build test , tweak.LOL
What the hell is there to loose by starting up this post.
Some kind of fun will start here with this thread. :)
Ck

[CenTexFlyer]

If *I* get a connection, I'll call you.... if *YOU* get a connection... call me! I may have a need for 100mph wing that will haul some freight.

Gene

[klique]

I will keep you informed gene,I just had a bad day at work, and figured all that i want to do lately is to build and fly.
We could both be a great team ,maybe someone could hire both of us :p .LOL
Ck

[mlbco]

Guys,

My company is not hiring at the moment, but here is a bit of advice for what I look for in a UAV pilot. Extreme aerobatics and fast flying mean nothing to me. The most valued skill in a UAV "pilot" is being able to land accurately, safely, and consistently in some of the tightest landing fields. The primary purpose of the back-up pilot is to get the UAV on the ground safely in the event that the autonomous flight capabilities can't do the job. This means safely landing an expensive aircraft and doing it perfectly each time. Normally my planes land themselves, but when we do demos with restricted fields, I have to fly it in using RC controls and usually the landing area is much more difficult than any RC club. I recently landed downwind on a narrow road with 6' snowbanks on either side, at 6000 ft above sea level. The road was located in a narrow valley between two 3000 ft ridges and there was a 30 kt. wind at ridge top level creating major turbulence. I had one shot at the approach and nailed it perfectly with a 23 lb, 7 ft. wingspan UAV. Also, there were several trucks and a 105mm Howitzer parked on the same road that I had to avoid. If you can do the same without breaking a sweat, you too can be a UAV back-up pilot. Forget all the fancy stunts though, you'll never be doing those with a $25K autonomous airplane. Go get a 40 size trainer, add ballast to raise the wing loading to 3 lb/sq.-ft, and practice tight landing approaches until you can do 10 in a row touching down within 15 feet of where you are standing.

Another important skill is to have extensive familiarity with the ground station software that operates the UAV during autonomous flight. Most UAV flying is done through the computer, not through the sticks. I don't know how you can get hands on experience with a particular UAV system unless you've worked with a company that owns one. Many military people who have operated UAVs in the field normally get hired as commercial operators because of their hands-on experience in the field.

Advanced aerobatic RC skills may come in handy for companies developing new or unusual UAV airframes, but most commercial UAV operations require very little RC skill except for the occasional manual landing.

Steve Morris

President, MLB Co.

[Steve McBride]

3lb/sq loading would be a dream for tight landings. It's the floaters that are hard to bring down in such confines.

I guess I've been somewhat blessed in that growing up, we always had tons of trees on my parents place and I had to learn how to launch and recover with little room. Later, as an adult, my front yard became my landing strip. With a 7 strand barb wire fence on one side and trees on the other (about 20 feet wide landing area) I had to learn landing control. I get real envyous when I go to a flying field ;) The fence came out ears ago by the way - it was more of a mental barrier than anything. I still can't use that area for landing because it was along the edge of a ridge that slopes off to a road.

My suggestion would be to always challange yourself to bring your aircraft down in the same spot each time no matter if you are landing in the desert. I have the hardest time landing a lightly loaded glider in these confines. However an EDF with high wing loading or even a pylon ship I find very easy to land because it comes down quickly enough to put in a small area.

Good luck on finding a UAV related job. I hope you find one that makes you happy. Nothing worse than working somewhere you are not happy.

Steve

[starcad]

Guys,

My company is not hiring at the moment, but here is a bit of advice for what I look for in a UAV pilot. Extreme aerobatics and fast flying mean nothing to me. The most valued skill in a UAV "pilot" is being able to land accurately, safely, and consistently in some of the tightest landing fields. The primary purpose of the back-up pilot is to get the UAV on the ground safely in the event that the autonomous flight capabilities can't do the job. This means safely landing an expensive aircraft and doing it perfectly each time. Normally my planes land themselves, but when we do demos with restricted fields, I have to fly it in using RC controls and usually the landing area is much more difficult than any RC club. I recently landed downwind on a narrow road with 6' snowbanks on either side, at 6000 ft above sea level. The road was located in a narrow valley between two 3000 ft ridges and there was a 30 kt. wind at ridge top level creating major turbulence. I had one shot at the approach and nailed it perfectly with a 23 lb, 7 ft. wingspan UAV. Also, there were several trucks and a 105mm Howitzer parked on the same road that I had to avoid. If you can do the same without breaking a sweat, you too can be a UAV back-up pilot. Forget all the fancy stunts though, you'll never be doing those with a $25K autonomous airplane. Go get a 40 size trainer, add ballast to raise the wing loading to 3 lb/sq.-ft, and practice tight landing approaches until you can do 10 in a row touching down within 15 feet of where you are standing.

Another important skill is to have extensive familiarity with the ground station software that operates the UAV during autonomous flight. Most UAV flying is done through the computer, not through the sticks. I don't know how you can get hands on experience with a particular UAV system unless you've worked with a company that owns one. Many military people who have operated UAVs in the field normally get hired as commercial operators because of their hands-on experience in the field.

Advanced aerobatic RC skills may come in handy for companies developing new or unusual UAV airframes, but most commercial UAV operations require very little RC skill except for the occasional manual landing.

Steve Morris

President, MLB Co.

Sounds fun Steve. I did it in a 1200' Open Pit mine with an acid lake at the bottom. Landing strip was a 30' X 10' wide upslope at the bottom. Start the approach over the acid lake toward the west wall. Pull the plane behind the power curve and drag it in. One chance, hit the water and it's all over and forget about a go-around it would hit the south wall.

[CenTexFlyer]

Check...
Check.....
Check.......
.
and
.
Check.................
.
oh... and you also forgot to throw in full size experience helps along with familiarity of FAA regulations and class airspace operations.
.
Check!
.
already on the resume........

[lvspark]

http://www.aracar.org/jobops.html

http://www.aerovironment.com/careers.php

http://www.aaicorp.com/hr/empllist.htm

https://www.urs.apply2jobs.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=mExternal.showJob&RID=11646&CurrentPage=1

http://careers.northropgrumman.com/ExternalHorizonsWeb/getJobPostDetail.do?sequenceNumber=93408

[djklein21]

There are plenty of UAV related jobs and test pilot gigs available. I just got 3 offers this afternoon. But then again I was at a industry supported UAV competition for Universities. As Steve said, its all about related experiance. I have noticed that sailplane experiance really helps with energy managment, flap control, landing accuracy, and flying at a distance.

Having an aerospace background, field related experiance, and a general aircraft license with nstrument rateing really helps in this area.

BTW Steve Morris has a lot of experiance and is really a first class guy. Hi earlier feedback is rght on the money.

David Klein
UCSD research Student
UAV airframe development
AUVSI stent team project manager

[andyg]

This might be a little juvenile but isn't "UAV Test Pilot" an oxymoron? lol

[typicalaimster]

Pulled

[ALtitudeap]

typicalaimster, When are you starting up your company and where and what time do you want me to report for duty. Altitudeap.

[rclinks2002]

Everyone,
I believe my school is starting up a few classes in UAV flight training. (Embry Riddle) I will see if I can find more information out there.....


Ben

[Hovertime]

Well in the end it all boils down to your contacts... You may be an excellent "insert anything here" but if you don't know the right people you will not get the job, and vice versa.

[RCAV8R13]

Hi guys.
My name is Kip Jackson. I am the chief test pilot (read, only) for the Insitu Group. I have been Insitus' Test pilot for over 12 years. I piloted the take off the Aerosonde "Laima" which was the first unmanned aircraf to cross the Atlantic Ocean in Aug. 1998. See our website at www.insitu.com
We are a very fast growing company of young and dedicated people located in the beautiful Columbia Gorge on the border of Washington and Oregon. Our number one product, the ScanEagle, is the third most used aircraft in Iraq, being surpassed only by the Preditor and the Shadow. We have logged over 15,000 combat hours to date.
Although our ScanEagle requires no pilot, our R&D department does. Our R&D dept. is expanding rapidly and we need experienced modellers to build and fly. I need a back up pilot, should I get sick, hurt (God forbid) or wish to take a very needed vacation. You would be required to fly very large (much larger than AMA limits) aircraft which are catapult launched and rope recovered using our patented SkyHook system. This is not for the faint of hart. The flying is stressful, intence and can, at times, appear to be dangerous (but really isn't). You need to be very good at flying in the wind and using the rudder. You will also be required to work long hours at salaried pay, but it is more than worth it. This job is a blast. If you like slope soaring, then this place wll be paradise to you.
Send in your resumes.
Good luck.
Kip

[Magician]

Hey Kip!

Can't tell you how much I'd love to apply for that job, but I'm still happy in my current position. But, getting back to the NW is a tempting thing... Hopefully you can find a good back-up pilot for you here on the forum, it really is a sweet deal.

I'll be out that way next Thursday hanging across the river, will you be around for a drive by visit? Gotta see that new toy.

Regards,

Chris
NRL

[RCAV8R13]

Hey Kip!

Can't tell you how much I'd love to apply for that job, but I'm still happy in my current position. But, getting back to the NW is a tempting thing... Hopefully you can find a good back-up pilot for you here on the forum, it really is a sweet deal.

I'll be out that way next Thursday hanging across the river, will you be around for a drive by visit? Gotta see that new toy.

Regards,

Chris
NRL
Hi Chris,
Jay told me you where comming out to visit. I look forward to seeing you again. I'm sure Jay has a visit to the shop planed for you. If we are not out flying, I will be in the shop. Let's do lunch.
Thanks again for the great hand launches with that AirCore 40 thing. That plane has seen a lot since you where last here. It has flown off and back on board the Shacklton (our 55' fishing boat) four times. It was hand launched from one motor boat on the Columbia river and landed aboard a second one, twice. It has done the "hope on a rope" string and payload trick twice. It was flown in the Bahamas. I did 57 rope captures with it on that kite set up that you saw (including one dead stick capture, lucky shot). It has been throught heck and is still flyable today.
Are you visiting with Hood Tech? Isn't Andy a great guy?
See you Thursday.
Kip

[why_fly_high]

Kip,

Dan Bierly here. I was the guy that flew with you at Camp Roberts with the CIRPAS guys. You going to be at AUVSI. Would love to say, "Hi."

Later,

Dan

[RCAV8R13]

Kip,

Dan Bierly here. I was the guy that flew with you at Camp Roberts with the CIRPAS guys. You going to be at AUVSI. Would love to say, "Hi."

Later,

Dan
Hi Dan,
How have you been? Sadly, I will not be going to AUVSI this year. I had a blast there a couple of years ago.
P.S. Has Zivco flown the Shark yet? Sure sad that we have lost Leo, he was the best.
Kip

[why_fly_high]

To drag this thread way off topic, the Shark was never flown. It was donated to the EAA museum and is on display at Oshkosh. I have seen some really cool pictures of a 40% model done by Baron and Fred Johnson. Baron flew it at the IMAC Nats this year.

Be sure to give me a shou if you are ever in the Oklahoma area.

Now get back on topic. :D

Dan

[F-111Nut]

Not sure if this is the place to post this...Composite Technician is there any work out there for guys who have work in Composites?? the place i work ( will not put there name) just let alot of Us go Becose they Did not get there Big Contrack they Sead they had when i took a opeing with them.. i am looking in to Freelance type work. i DOnt want to relocate right now ( just got threw with Moveing Agen).. been in the Feild for 7 years. all so A&P mechanic for 9 years. work as a Quality Assurance Inspector for airframes for UAV program Composite Manufacturing and Repair,Wet Layup, PrePreg, Tooling repair have looked around on the web dont see much out there around my location. i can send resume .. all so if there is anyways i can help anyone on this Form with A Project i will do my best to help you out.



if i have Broke any Form rules let me know and close this post..

[Marcuswhorley]

Seems like a job for a 3d pilot, fast on the sticks, total control of the plane without any fear.... Although I can take off and land in very small spaces, it is usually with planes that wiegh less than a pound...wish I had skills like you are asking for...

[typicalaimster]

There was a posting on the AMA D5's website about pilots

http://www.amadistrictiv.org/Become%20a%20UAV%20Pilot-1.pdf

I've emailed them and it looks like it's contract to hire.

[Clarkst]

My company is interested in people with the following skills:

1. Programmer (PIC and/or Basic stamp)
2. Fabricator (aluminum, carbon fiber, fiberglass)
3. Designer (VTOL)

We are building VTOL AUVs and could use a few good folks.
Our location is Brunswick Ohio (south of Cleveland), this is a new location for us.
The company is forming its legal identity next week, yet we are now operating as a division within and existing company.
Anyone in the central Ohio area that is interested, please contact me at your convenience.
Thank you.

[lenniegordo]

Landing... I love landing, it's my fav thing to do, I do it the best of anyone I know, I can Land anything almost anywhere.
But I hate war, bummer!

[Old RC Guy]

Hey Kip,
I haven't flown in a few years but I'm getting back into it at Marymoor. Sounds like you are doing well for yourself. I remember when you left and were talking about doing exactly what you are now. The last time I saw you you flew my 96 inch Dark Blue Ace Extra 230 at Marymoor. That was at least 5+ years ago. I still have it and I'm looking into some new ones now. Seems ARF's are the way to go. Feels like cheating but time is money. Keep up the good work for yourself and our military, saving lives in your own way. Take care.

Steve Wheat
www.cyclestar.com
steve@cyclestar.com

[RCAV8R13]

Hey Kip,
I haven't flown in a few years but I'm getting back into it at Marymoor. Sounds like you are doing well for yourself. I remember when you left and were talking about doing exactly what you are now. The last time I saw you you flew my 96 inch Dark Blue Ace Extra 230 at Marymoor. That was at least 5+ years ago. I still have it and I'm looking into some new ones now. Seems ARF's are the way to go. Feels like cheating but time is money. Keep up the good work for yourself and our military, saving lives in your own way. Take care.

Steve Wheat
www.cyclestar.com
steve@cyclestar.com
Hi Steve.
I'm glad to hear you are doing well...as well. I'm still at Insitu, 14 years now. I can't believe how far we have come or how big and influential. We really are making a difference. We sure have grown since I was the only employee. We are now 350 strong and growing. I'm enjoying my work (it's hard to call it that) more than ever. I'm part of the R&D mechanical design team now and have my name on 4 patents with three more in the works. Our team is responsible for designing our new plane, the Integrator. It's huge. 16' wingspan and 135lbs. I have flown the two prototypes quite a bit but it is now completely autonomous. I did 25+ "SkyHook" rope captures with them and it was a rush each time. It's amazing how one can actually get used to flying a $500,000 dollar model airplane.
Lately I have been doing EDF jets. I'm having a blast and I'm working my way up to 150+mph jets.
Be well.
Kip