MTSI Supports USAF Test Pilot School
From April 9th-24th, MTSI personnel supported the USAF Test Pilot School and provided flights in an electric aircraft. This is the program’s first integration of an electric aircraft. Hosted by the 413th Flight Test Squadron and supported by the 96th Test Wing, the AFWERX funded flights occurred at Duke Field.
MTSI’s team disassembled the aircraft in New Braunfels, TX and trailered it to Fort Walton Beach, FL. Once in Florida, they reassembled the aircraft in less than two hours to make it training ready. Each test pilot had a 45-minute flight, which included ground operations, pattern work, and a variety of maneuvers in the airspace. In addition, the pilots provided valuable data to support AFWERX’s continued experimentation on electric aircraft.
At Duke field, the two-man team conducted up to four flights per day and provided a unique experience to over 20 personnel.
“MTSI is proud to be the first team to partner with AFWERX to provide electric aircraft experience to the US Air Force Test Pilot School and the 96th Wing”, said Vance Drenkhahn, MTSI EVP of Defense Services Division.
The deployment marked the first time MTSI provided support away from home station with the electric aircraft. MTSI expects more mobile teams to support USAF goals in the future due to the huge success of the mission.
MTSI supports AFWERX, the Air Force’s innovation arm, by operating three types of electric aircraft at two different operating locations in Ohio and Texas. In addition, MTSI provides critical program support on a variety of AFWERX programs covering everything from space, to electric aircraft, to USAF innovation networks.
View full article on Eglin Air Force Base website here!
