Eligible organizations are those that perform flight tests in support of the delivery of aerospace vehicles or systems to end customers or users.

For an organization to receive SFTE recognition, the applying organization must show alignment of their internal professional development program with the following requirements:

1. The organization's flight test department/group shall identify the disciplines of flight testing executed by their FTEs within appropriate categories (e.g., flying qualities, performance, systems, loads, etc.).
2. The organization shall possess a Standardization and Evaluation program for all FTE personnel to test in each discipline identified under #1 above to tiered competency levels equivalent to the following:
   1. Novice - Participation in the missions with supervision
   2. Practitioner - Conduct missions without direct supervision
   3. Leader - Direct missions as sole FTE or lead test teams in executing missions
   4. Mentor - Instruct, mentor, and assess others in the qualifications of a) through c)
3. The organization adheres to the competency levels described in #2 when assigning crew to specific missions / sorties.
4. The organization progresses FTE personnel through the levels of #2 via both academic and practical, hands-on (live aircraft or simulations) training.

PROFICIENCY ASSURANCE AND DEVELOPMENT

1. The organization shall employ a training program with technical assessments (e.g., written exams, hands on simulations, etc.) that qualify/progress personnel through the competency levels (described in Paragraph 2 of the Qualification Progression section above) to include the following technical competencies:
   1. Fundamental knowledge training
   2. Flight Test Plan and Test Card Creation
   3. Risk Management
   4. Airmanship Acumen
   5. Test mission execution /  Methods & Tools
   6. Crew Resource Management (CRM)
   7. Instrumentation & Telemetry Systems
   8. Data Analysis Methods & Tools
   9. Flight Test Report creation
2. The following means can be used in the training program:
   1. Internal Formal Training
   2. Flight Test Training Schools (Empire TPS, ITPS, Military TPS, NTPS)
   3. Flight Test Educators (e.g., Avian, Daedalus Aerospace, FTTEC, IIAS)
   4. University Flight Test Courses (e.g Politecnico di Milano, Univ of Nevada, Reno, Kansas University)
   5. Experiential (on-the-job) training
   6. Pilot & Ground School Training & Certification (FAA, EASA, etc)
   7. Military Aviator Training (Naval Flight Officer, Navigator, Pilot, etc.)
3. The organization shall employ currency requirements to maintain each test professional readiness to execute missions within safety parameters.
4. The organization shall instate a program of ongoing professional development (e.g. supporting attendance at flight test workshops and symposiums).