Chief test pilot Iain Young... 'flying is my whole life'

How did you get this job?
I currently hold two positions here but only get paid for one! I am Chief Test Pilot at Marshall Aerospace, and Director of Flight Operations at Marshall Executive Aviation, where I am accountable to the CAA. The second role is purely civil; we operate a charter business, but the testing side covers both defence and civil aircraft so I am also accountable to the MoD. You have to follow a pretty predefined path to land this job and it’s a formal process, which involves completing a full test pilot training course.
There are only four test pilot schools in the Western world and, whilst they will accept civilian trainees, they are predominately for military pilots. Once you get that far, there are three big test flying players in the UK after the MoD and CAA – BAeS, Agusta Westland and Marshall Aerospace, so it’s not easy to find a place in industry. At 26 I decided to change direction, leaving a job in the semiconductor industry to pursue a career in the RAF.
Believe it or not, I was inspired by a glossy advert and literally took a huge risk. At this point I had a wife and two children to support so it was definitely a gamble. Joining at that age was a challenge in itself, as I had other commitments, which inevitably had an impact. I realise now that I was not suited to the teaching methods the RAF were using at the time – it’s geared towards 18-year-olds, but it made me more determined to succeed. I started off as a fixed-wing pilot in the RAF and later moved on to helicopters. I had three very interesting tours of duty in Hong Kong, Cyprus and UK in the Wessex helicopter and achieved ‘Combat Ready Select’ status. But my early scientific and engineering training had left me with a keen interest in the technical aspects of flying and I applied for test pilot training.

What does the job involve?
At Marshalls, all my various practical and operational experience came together and it’s more analysis and report-based these days. The very best pilots aren’t scientists; they’re more like aerial ballerinas – or something similar! It’s all about spatial awareness and fundamentally it’s artistic rather than analytical. My role is a mixture of both. I am the final link in the design process when I authorise a test flight, but it’s very much a team process; we make aircraft safe to fly. I also instruct and examine for the PPL and fly Public Transport operations in a Citation C550 Bravo.

What are the best bits of the job?
Actually getting to fly so often – you can’t ask for more! The new Airbus A400M Turboprop engine, which we are putting on a C130 Hercules fl ying test bed on behalf of Airbus, is likely to pose the biggest technical and handling challenge yet. We start flying that in Spring ’07. The A400M is the European next generation military aircraft and will have four turbo-prop engines, each giving over twice the thrust of those on a C130 Hercules. We’ll test just one engine and propeller on the FTB [flying test bed] with the other three remaining standard.

Worst bits?
Some of the tests are high-risk, but generally it’s all very controlled. The critical stage of each test varies but when it’s a prototype or a major modification, then the unknown makes it more exciting. There are lots of technical challenges that can take a long time to work through but test flying is well-structured. Unfortunately, the level of bureaucracy since we joined the EU has risen significantly, which means that the emphasis is now aimed at avoiding liability and isn’t necessarily safety-positive.

Any advice for would-be test pilots?
Pursue your ambition until it can no longer be pursued – then you know you’ve given it everything. I’ve been on the other side of the selection process and you don’t have to be exceptional to get through but you do need to put everything into achieving your goal.

What else would you like to achieve in this role?
I didn’t actually set out to achieve a specific goal so I am just happy that I managed to achieve all that I have so far. I have no plans to move on and I am still learning so it keeps me interested.

Do you fly outside the job?
I commute each week from the Isle of Wight in my Robin 2100A. It takes just over an hour. I flew to Sheffield recently for my granddaughter’s birthday. Flying really is my whole life.

What are your interests outside aviation?
I have a diesel-engine cabin boat and I like to go fishing – it’s therapeutic and gives me an excuse to have a bit of fun. I’m also a PFA member and Coach, and quite often give talks to PFA Struts, such as the one on the Isle of Wight, and other organisations with an interest in flying. What single change would you make to UK flying? I would re-orientate regulations to focus on safety rather than liability. It used to be about getting the job done safely rather than following an audit trail.

Finally, what do your colleagues say about you?
Maybe that I’m too old! But I think they respect my judgement and they are not slow in letting me know if they think I’m wrong. There’s no room for egos in test flying.