One of my job descriptions is a test pilot and yes, I do take the A/C to the near limits where I am told, one should never go to !
This was my first post about test flying an aircraft. Or is that check flying an aircraft . I do check out pilots and the last pilot, I /we decided to not continue with the "check-out" Why? The pilot had not flown for over 12 years, was in his sixties , never had flown a taildragger or higher performance plane and couldn't see the inst. panel properly. I do sympathize for him but, I am NOT an instructor just as I am NOT a career test pilot, proving a new fighter type with a parachute on my back and sitting on an ejection seat ! It was obvious that , even though I constantly coached the pilot to get current again with a school instructor, get a basic taildragger check-out and maybe even get some EFIS/ Constant speed time, it was not going to happen, and so the inevitable happened when this pilot jumped into a short coupled, pitch sensitive, CS 260 HP EFIS equipped taildragger for the first time to be " checked out" I would not put myself in a CF-18 to test fly it unless I had all the required training etc.
I too am a pilot, and unrelated to that, a DAR. To me, being a "pilot", is about as specific as being a person who can move their fingers well. Maybe you're a pianist, maybe you're a surgeon, maybe you're watchmaker, or perhaps another calling whose dexterity is important. "Pilot" is a very broad term, and no one is a pilot of everything. We all know that, and there will always be a pilot with more skill and experience, to look up to, I have mine here.
When someone asks me what i do, I may say AME ( most shake their head) but often say mechanic or wrench turner and work on aircraft, if they persue the line of questioning, I may say that I also fly or fly commercially ( NOT an airline pilot.
I dont have any problems denigrating myself when needed or being naturally humble ( I am BTW a mechanic first ) But even the terms AME and Commercial Pilot are misunderstood.
Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who invent, design, analyze, build, and test machines, systems, structures and materials to fulfill objectives and requirements while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety, and cost.[1][2] The word engineer (Latin ingeniator[3]) is derived from the Latin words ingeniare ("to create, generate, contrive, devise") and ingenium ("cleverness").
Aint that a wonderful description of an ENGINEER ! Like Aircraft Maintenance Engineer ,,,,,,,,
NOT, I am not an ENGINEER BUT I do engineering duties like : Invent, design, build and test "I devise cleverly" I do NOT do mathematical and stress analysis/ calculations to determine whether what I built is within minimum standards ( I just over build it somewhat like MANY other AMEs who do a little "engineering"
)
But within the company of AME s and in Canadian aviation I call myself an AME To Americans I say I am an A/P IA equivalent.
If I say Im a commercial pilot to someone on the street, they may ask : WOW, What airline do you fly for?
Well, I fly for hire, I am allowed to accept re-numeration to fly, that is all ( and other conditions)
It is nonsense to say that I cannot test fly an A/C if I have not been to test pilots school just as its nonsence to say that I am not a commercial pilot if I have not been flying commercially in the last 6 months, ( regardless of whether my medical is Cat 1/3)
So, I don't call myself a test pilot, though other people I have worked for have called me that - I am not formally trained as a test pilot. I don't call myself a check pilot, though I have checked many planes, and many pilots - a few did not pass. I didn't call myself an instructor, as I don't have that rating, until another very qualified member here explained to me that I am an instructor in a floatplane - but I still don't call myself an instructor - it disrespects those who do have the rating. Soon, I may call myself an experienced pilot, as I approach half the flying time of some pilots here who I admire. Okay, I could call myself a jump pilot, as a lot of people in colourful suits took off with me, but got out before I landed! Woohoo! I'm a [former] jump pilot - an Uber driver with a vertical component!
That is wonderful humility ! I can call you a test pilot, check pilot, instructor pilot jump pilot.
You are welcome to call me a tp/cp/ip/bp but we both have an understanding that we are not belittling anyone whose main income/profession is in any one of these fields of endeaver. AND YES, IN everything that I do, I can be assured that MANY will and can do better than me, that is obvious. It is not about ego but rather about expression for you and me!