Experimental Test Pilot

An autobiographical, readable, and humorous account of ten years as an experimental and military test pilot at MOD Boscombe Down. Chris Taylor has had a highly successful career as a Royal Navy officer, helicopter pilot, test pilot, instructor, and as an internationally acclaimed civil certification test pilot. His first book, Test Pilot, concentrates on anecdotes and incidents from the most recent phase of his career. Experimental Test Pilot is the prequel, detailing his account of ten years' service as an experimental test pilot from 1994 until 2004 at MoD Boscombe Down, the UK's tri-Service home of military aircraft testing and evaluation.

In this book, Chris explains what led to his passion to be a test pilot and how, with tenacity, he played the cards he was dealt as well as he could. The story captures the difficulties and challenges associated with being selected for the single annual place at the Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS) and the dedication required to complete the very demanding twelve-month course.

Chris was one of only three helicopter experimental test pilots posted to the Experimental Flying Squadron (EFS). There, he worked with scientists from the Defence Research Agency (DRA) at Bedford and Farnborough on several cutting-edge technologies, specialising in ship/helicopter interface testing. In addition to flying the Westland Wessex, Lynx, and Sea King, Chris acted as an evaluation pilot in the Hunter, Jaguar, Andover, Hawker Siddeley HS748, and the Comet.

During his time as an active test pilot, EFS was merged into three platform squadrons, which gave Chris the chance to play a full part in conventional 'release to service' activities in a wide variety of rotorcraft. Asked to take on the role of a flight test instructor (FTI), Chris served at ETPS, where he made sweeping changes to the syllabus, acquired a new helicopter type, and had to deal with several students who could not cope with the rigours of the course. In his first year, he experienced a 'flame out' in a Hawk jet, an engine failure during his first flight in the twin-engine Basset, and crashed the school's Westland Scout helicopter—all of which are fully discussed.

Following four successful years teaching helicopter flight test, Chris was recruited to manage the ETPS short course portfolio. This required the design, sale, and delivery of numerous flight test courses while introducing innovative teaching methods and the use of civil registered aircraft. In this new, exciting, and rewarding role, Chris taught both fixed-wing and rotary-wing students. The book explains the difficulties of learning the additional skills and flight test techniques required of a fixed-wing test pilot.

This autobiography explores the military flight test career of an individual who is arguably one of the best qualified and most experienced test pilots working today anywhere in the world.

AUTHOR: Having wanted to be a pilot for as long as he can remember, Chris Taylor gained his private pilot's licence at the age of seventeen. He joined the Royal Navy while studying for a degree in Electrical Engineering and, after serving as a Navigation Officer on numerous ships, went on to operate Wasp and Lynx helicopters, flying in all weathers from frigates deployed worldwide. After five years instructing, he became an Experimental Test Pilot and flew all manner of experimental aircraft for research and development purposes before returning to the Empire Test Pilots' School as a Flight Test Instructor.

Having served at Boscombe Down for ten years, he joined the UK Civil Aviation Authority as an aeroplane and rotorcraft test pilot. With the closure of the CAA's Flight Test Department, he formed Dovetail Aviation Ltd and has continued to test fly a wide variety of aircraft ever since. Chris has flown over four hundred different kinds of aircraft, is a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, and is a licensed Category 1 Test Pilot and Flight Test Instructor for both aeroplanes and helicopters. This arguably makes him one of the best qualified and most widely experienced test pilots working today. Additionally, he finds time to be a Helicopter Examiner and Instructor for helicopters, aeroplanes, and autogyros when not playing with his grandchildren.