Recommended Practices: FAQ

1. Recognize Excellence. Highlight flight test organizations with programs that:
   • Clearly document essential knowledge and skills for flight test roles.
   • Provide structured pathways for FTEs to acquire and maintain these competencies.
   • Track currency, evaluate competency, and encourage ongoing professional growth.
2. Incentivize Improvement. Motivate more flight test organizations to implement comprehensive training and professional development programs through recognition and promotion.

SFTE will always promote the development of flight test professionals and support their growth in aerospace. SFTE recognition is intended to provide the following:

1. Competitive Advantage. By maintaining FTE recommended practices, organizations will benefit from a high performing team with consistent capabilities.
2. Attracting Talent. The Recommended Practices Committee  received confirmation from several flight test organizations that they are attracting both entry-level and experienced FTEs because of their robust training and development program. 
3. FTE Job Satisfaction and Retention. By constantly received professional growth and development, FTEs are more satisfied with their roles and are more likely to continue working within that organization.
4. Expanded Talent Pool. Elevating standards across the flight test industry expands the talent pool by reducing discrepancies in competency that can compromise safety and effectiveness
5. Industry and SFTE Recognition. By adhering to carefully studied and accepted recommended practices, an organization will increase its credibility and reinforce its reputation as a leader in professional development and flight test excellence
6. Publicity. SFTE will advertise and promote those organizations that receive SFTE recognition and streamline recruitment and prestige.
7. Stakeholder Confidence. Since flight testing is such a critical aspect of aircraft development, stakeholders confidence will increase knowing that their flight test departments are recognized by SFTE for their standards.
8. Feedback from SFTE Experts. Whether an applicant is successful or unsuccessful in receiving recognition, FTE experts will review the application and provide valuable feedback. SFTE will assign a series of evaluators from their highest ranks. As such, organizations will receive expert advice that could help their flight test professionals and flight test programs.

The program is designed to be simple and streamlined. The initial application is limited to 5 pages. The recognition, once granted, is valid for three years. SFTE will not request access to internal organization documents - it is based on an honor system. The process is as follows:

1. Applicant submits documentation (~5 pages max) to Recommended Practices Committee.
2. The committee appoints three evaluators who are  SFTE Fellows or other highly accomplished and experienced FTEs.
3. Evaluators review the applications and, if needed, will extend questions. A final vote will be provided within one month.
4. The applicant is informed of the decision. Whether successful or unsuccessful, the applicant will receive valuable feedback from flight test experts.

The recommended practices program is designed to be applicable to any organization who does flight test activity. Certain organizations—avionics manufacturers, for example—may only execute avionics testing. The purpose of identifying the discipline is to align the training with that particular type of expected mission. If an organization does not perform flight qualities testing, there is no need for the training program to include those disciplines.

As aerospace moves to highly specialized disciplines, we want to be fair and make sure we can recognize organizations who train their FTEs tailored for their needs. Application reviewers will base the maturity and applicability of the training program based on the missions that the organization executes.