F-35 Flight Test Engineering Internship
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- Ski jump Short Take-Off testing
For the summer of 2024, I took on a second internship with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (see my first Lockheed internship), this time at NAS Patuxent River, MD working with the F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF). I was a Flight Test Engineer on the Test Ops team, supporting flight test operations of new mission systems, flight science capabilities, and more. From briefing test pilots and writing test cards to live control room support, I learned how we test and deliver cutting-edge fighter jet technology.
By the end of the summer, I achieved my scribe qualification to independently support control room test missions. I also trained towards my Test Conductor (TC) qual – constantly putting my F-35 aircraft knowledge and even pilot experience to the test. TCs are responsible for assisting the pilot in flight, supporting emergency procedures, and leading the control room to make critical flight decisions that ensure safe, productive testing. For the TCs-in-training on my team, I went through the entire TC mission preparation process to coordinate a simulator training event to practice our cadence and even flying skills.
For the team, I also designed a new IADS (Interactive Analysis and Display Systems) display configuration that provides customized real-time telemetry and mission analysis for an upcoming F-35B carrier testing program. The new IADS screens will help to improve test efficiency and increase situational awareness for control room members during testing.
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- The roomates out with our favorite jet
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- Trying on the terrifyingly expensive F-35 pilot helmet
(Unfortunately, I can only share limited information about my projects and responsibilities due to DOD and ITAR security regulations.)
