SFTE Engagement at 41st SETP East Coast Symposium

SFTE Engagement at 41st SETP East Coast Symposium
 
The 41st SETP East Coast Symposium, held 11 April in Lexington Park, Maryland, provided strong visibility and meaningful engagement for SFTE. 
The event drew over 100 attendees, including flight test engineers, test pilots, U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen, and STEM students from two local high schools—reflecting both the strength of the current flight test community and the importance of developing the next generation of professionals.
SFTE members were well represented across the program. Presenters included SFTE President Jeff Canclini, James Sergeant, Al Lawless, Seth Shaw, and Corbin Deaver, highlighting the Society’s continued contribution to advancing flight test knowledge and practice.
In his presentation on flight test in the complex domain, Jeff emphasized the growing human performance challenge, driven by increasing system complexity and the limits of traditional risk management approaches. His call to elevate organizational FTE training, qualification, and professional standards to meet these challenges through adoption of SFTE’s Recommended Practices drove strong interest and discussion among attendees.

Engagement began the evening prior with a social event hosted by the Pax River SFTE Chapter, providing an opportunity for members and prospective members to connect with SFTE leadership.  Jeff also had the opportunity to meet with South Florida Chapter President Gareth Roberts, who was in the local area, reinforcing cross-chapter collaboration.
 
Overall, the symposium demonstrated the close alignment between SETP and SFTE communities and underscored continued opportunities to strengthen collaboration, expand outreach, and advance professional standards across the flight test enterprise.