Airbus Flight Test School Trains Elite Pilots and Engineers in Toulouse

This article is based on an official press release from Airbus.

In celebration of World Pilots’ Day 2026, Airbus has pulled back the curtain on its highly specialized Flight Test School (AFTS) in Toulouse, France. The facility, which has been operating since 1997, is responsible for training the elite aviators and engineers who orchestrate vital development and customer acceptance flights for the European aerospace giant.

According to an official press release from Airbus, the class of 2026 features a particularly notable roster, including French astronaut Thomas Pesquet, who is training as a test pilot, and aerospace engineer Andrea Grande, who is training as a flight test engineer. The rigorous program prepares these professionals to push factory-fresh aircraft to their operational limits before they enter commercial service.

We recognize that the training of flight test crews is a critical component of Airbus’s production ramp-up and its long-term technological ambitions. As the company develops new aircraft derivatives and explores decarbonization technologies, the demand for highly skilled test pilots and engineers continues to grow.

Inside the Airbus Flight Test School

A Rigorous Academic and Practical Curriculum

The Airbus Flight Test School is one of only a handful of such centers globally. It operates in close partnership with EPNER, the renowned French test pilot school. According to the company’s release, EPNER experts currently oversee the exams at the end of the year-long AFTS program and issue the final diplomas. However, Airbus notes that AFTS is applying to become an Approved Training Organisation, which would allow it to grade exams internally while maintaining EPNER oversight.

Students at AFTS graduate with a “Class 2” rating, which qualifies them to operate acceptance flights. These flights test all systems and performance metrics of newly manufactured aircraft within their standard flight envelope. To achieve a “Class 1” rating, required to become an experimental flight test pilot or engineer, graduates must complete an additional six months of study at EPNER.

The Four Phases of Training

The AFTS curriculum is identical for both prospective pilots and engineers, divided into four distinct phases over a standard academic year. Trainees gain hands-on experience with Airbus test platforms, including the A350-1000 and A321, which are heavily equipped with data-collection instrumentation.

The training begins in the sky from September to November, where students participate in acceptance flights. The second term shifts to the ground for intensive theoretical study, covering aerodynamics, meteorology, human factors, and engine function, culminating in January exams. From January to May, trainees return to the air for instructor-led demonstration flights using light aircraft such as the Socata TB-20 or Diamond DA42. The final phase, running from May to June, involves academic flights to prepare for the practical EPNER exam, with successful candidates receiving their diplomas in Istres, southern France.

The Role of the Flight Test Crew

Pilots and Engineers Working in Tandem

Flight testing is inherently a team endeavor. While the test pilot executes the physical maneuvers from the front seat, the flight test engineer (FTE) acts as the flight director. In its press release, Airbus describes the FTE’s role as overseeing every aspect of the test, planning it meticulously before takeoff, and managing data collection and analysis.

“A place at the Airbus Flight Test School is the pinnacle of the profession,” Airbus stated in its release, noting that this community is where the future of aviation is written.

On experimental prototype aircraft, FTEs monitor live sensor data from banks of screens in the cabin, coordinating closely with the cockpit and ground teams. This airborne crew is supported by a vast network on the ground, including telemetry teams who monitor live data streams for anomalies, instrumentation specialists who install kilometers of specialized wiring, and maintenance crews dedicated to keeping prototypes in peak condition.

Pushing the Envelope

Experimental flight test crews take on missions that go far beyond standard point-to-point journeys. For new aircraft types or derivatives like the A350F, crews conduct rigorous testing to ensure safety and structural integrity. Airbus highlights three key experimental missions:

• Flutter testing: Intentionally inducing high-speed vibrations to verify the structural soundness of the wings and empennage.
• Stall testing: Intentionally inducing high-speed vibrations to verify the structural soundness of the wings and empennage.
• Environmental testing: Subjecting the aircraft to extreme conditions, such as the cold of Canada, the heat of the Middle East, and the high altitudes of Bolivia.

AirPro News analysis

We note that the inclusion of French astronaut Thomas Pesquet in the AFTS class of 2026 highlights the unique intersection between commercial aerospace testing and space exploration. Airbus explicitly points out that Pesquet’s test pilot qualification would be highly beneficial for NASA’s Artemis crewed moon mission, should he be selected. This cross-pollination of skills underscores the extreme precision and adaptability required in both fields.

Furthermore, we believe the expansion and formalization of the Airbus Flight Test School align directly with the industry’s broader push toward sustainability. As Airbus develops next-generation propulsion technologies, such as Open Fan designs and hybrid-electric systems, the company will rely heavily on these newly minted test crews to validate these innovations. The AFTS is not just a training ground for current production needs; it is a strategic asset for certifying the decarbonized aircraft of the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Airbus Flight Test School?

Founded in 1997 and located in Toulouse, France, the Airbus Flight Test School (AFTS) trains experienced aviators and engineers to become company flight test pilots and flight test engineers. Graduates are responsible for conducting development and customer acceptance flights for new Airbus aircraft.

Who is in the AFTS Class of 2026?

The 2026 cohort includes several hand-picked professionals, most notably French astronaut Thomas Pesquet, who is training as a test pilot, and aerospace engineer Andrea Grande, who is training as a flight test engineer.

What is the difference between a Class 1 and Class 2 rating?

According to Airbus, AFTS students graduate with a Class 2 rating, allowing them to perform acceptance flights on factory-fresh aircraft. To earn a Class 1 rating and conduct experimental test flights on uncertified prototypes, personnel must complete an additional six months of training at the French test pilot school, EPNER.

Sources

• Airbus