EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
The Air Force Test Pilot School is preparing for its second annual test instructor course. This course, a professional development initiative for new faculty members, underscores the school’s commitment to instructional excellence, according to Col. James Valpiani, TPS commandant.
Col. James Valpiani, TPS commandant, addresses class 23-B during the enlisted test fundamentals course graduation ceremony at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Aug. 25, 2023. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys)
School curriculum spans topics ranging from the foundational elements of flight test to advancements in artificial intelligence. The faculty, a mix of alumni, engineers and technical experts, brings a variety of backgrounds and expertise.
Lt. Col. Ryan Forystek, TPS director of curriculum standards and evaluations, explained how the new instructor course helps bring these backgrounds together.
"One of the first things we do is present an overview of the curriculum to our new instructors," Forystek said. "When instructors understand where their expertise and teaching fits within the bigger picture, it brings our students a more coherent and effective education."
Historically, TPS instructors were brought in throughout the year either through military permanent change of station or civilian recruitment. On-the-job training was the norm. Recognizing the shortcomings of the historic system and the complexities inherent in such a dynamic teaching environment, the school now aligns staff onboarding with the summer test instructor course, during which existing staff build professional relationships with incoming colleagues.
"The school is simultaneously the Department of the Air Force’s most demanding master’s degree, its most complex flying operation, and is becoming its most complex space operation," said Valpiani about the school’s evolving and expanding curriculum. "Adding a new formal instructor course on top of our existing high tempo is a major investment and reflects how seriously we take staff development."
One of the challenges facing instructors is the evolving nature of the school itself. Many faculty members first experienced the school as students, and the rapid pace of technological and curricular change means the school they return to can look and feel very different from what they remember, said Valpiani. Within the last year, the school introduced new A-29 Super Tucano aircraft into its curriculum and significantly expanded the breadth of instruction by integrating a space test course with its flight test course.
The December 2024 graduating class represents a milestone group as the first integrated class of air and space students. Instructors must now teach common test foundations and systems coursework that applies to both the air and space domains. According to Valpiani, understanding the nuances of space test and ensuring effective cross-domain instruction presents a challenge and opportunity for the faculty.
“The test instructor course plays a key role in equipping instructors with the knowledge and skills to meet these evolving requirements,” said Valpiani. “While the test instructor course is a relatively new initiative, the philosophy behind it is deeply rooted in our history.” For decades, the school has adapted to advancements in aviation, space and technology, continually refining instructional methods and academic programs to match those advances.
“Establishing an instructor course continues that history of adaptation and reflects our commitment to preparing our world class faculty to develop the next generation of test leaders,” said Valpiani.