[snova]

Defence and security company Saab and the British Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) have extended the agreement to use the Gripen multi-role fighter for ETPS test pilot and test engineer courses during 2012. ETPS students have used Gripen as part of their training since 1999.

The recently signed contract contains several ETPS courses including two training campaigns per year, one in the spring and one in the fall to take place in Sweden.

The Gripen fighter aircraft has been used in test pilot training courses for 13 years and is an important part of the ETPS Fixed Wing Graduate Course syllabus. Instructors and students use a dual seat Gripen for instructional flights and simulator training, experiencing Gripens advanced technology and flight characteristics. Learning specific techniques, provide systems and assessment on the aircraft are also fundamental parts of the programme. The campaign also consists of target flights where a SK 60 jet trainer aircraft is used as a target for radar assassment.

There is also a close collaboration between Saab and the Swedish Air Force regarding the ETPS programme, where all flying is conducted in Sweden. Therefore students and instructors will go to Saab flight test facility in Linköping, where a course of simulator flying is held, while Gripen simulator training takes place at the Swedish Air Force F 7 Wing, Såtenäs.