Yeah sure, but DoD contractors employ test pilots. If they’re testing one of their fighter aircraft, the pilot of that airplane, for all intents and purposes, is going to have to be a fighter pilot. See Lockheed Martin job listing below:
Job Responsibilities
JOB ID: ABC123
Date posted: Mar. 13, 2024
Description:
Lockheed Martin Flight Operations is looking for an energetic test pilot who wants to make a difference. You will start by supporting the F-35 program, but the position will grow to involve other projects including Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Development Programs, better known as Skunk Works.
We want a person who is willing to provide leadership, apply technical acumen, and make the team better.
Duties will include, but are not limited to:
• PVI development, requirements development, market assist.
• Subject matter expert on all aspects of the F-35
• Subject matter expert for flight test to include flight test planning, run card development, test execution and reporting.
• Fly F-35 missions such as experimental, developmental, production, engineering flight test, test support, customer demonstration flights and others as assigned.
** Must be a US Citizen. This position is located at a facility that requires special access. **
This position is in Fort Worth, TX.
Basic Qualifications:
• Suitable FAA Commercial Pilot (SE Land, Instrument Airplane) or Airline Transport Pilot certificate.
• Current FAA Class I or II medical certificate.
• 1,500 hours first-pilot time in a tactical aircraft.
• F-35 flying experience in excess of 100 hours.
• Graduate of a military or recognized Test Pilot School (TPS).
• Must be willing to travel and have a valid U.S. passport.
Desired Skills:
• Comfortable working with Communications and Public Relations in front of a camera.
Security Clearance Statement: This position requires a government security clearance, you must be a US Citizen for consideration.
Clearance Level: TS/SCI
Experience Level: Experienced Professional
Business Unit: AERONAUTICS COMPANY
Relocation Available: Possible
Career Area: Aeronautical Engineering
Type: Full-Time
Shift: First
Most of the employed civilian pilots are former military, but not all. In any case, the designation “Fighter pilot” isn’t a lifetime appointment. Recertification has to happen often.
Physical or mental ailments and disorders, even those that came on after initial certification, are very often career-ending and get you grounded, permanently, thru no fault of your own.
This includes: Getting too old, low oxygen blood levels, high blood pressure, near and far sightedness, fat, out of shape, a mood disorder, insomnia, heart disease, blood clots—all kinds of things.
Many of these guys getting permanently grounded go on to be test or shuttle pilots for airlines, aircraft companies, etc.
However, they are then no longer fighter pilots.
I simply came here to tell you that the pilot that ejected from this particular aircraft was not a fighter pilot but rather a civilian. You insisted that the miliary (correct if I’m wrong) needed every fighter pilot they could get, so he counts?
I think what it comes down to is as follows:
There are all kinds of pilots out there. Some fly for fun, some for work. Some work as civilian pilots, and we trust our very lives with them. Their skills are proven and valuable. Most, but not all, civilian pilots come from the military. The Air Force has very strict rules on who can be a fighter pilot, that is a combatant, that go far beyond flying. The Navy and Marine Corps, also.