Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Partner in Flight Test Engineering Excellence
Founded in 1968 by Boeing flight test engineers, the Society Of Flight Test (SFTE) has established itself as a global leader in advancing flight test safety, effectiveness, and efficiency. Our organization fosters collaboration across the aerospace industry through technical knowledge sharing, professional development programs, and international networking opportunities. With a network of geographically-based chapters, we enable members to participate in local events while maintaining global industry connections. Our annual symposiums provide critical platforms for presenting research, discussing safety protocols, and delivering specialized training courses.Through three dedicated councils - Technical, E-VTOL, and BVLOS - we address emerging challenges in electric aircraft, autonomous systems, and advanced flight testing methodologies. Backed by 50+ years of experience, our technical library houses decades of symposium papers and industry resources, while our partnerships with SETP and AIAA strengthen our position as a trusted authority in flight test engineering. We maintain rigorous professional standards while promoting educational outreach and technical innovation for current and future aerospace professionals.
Services
Technical Council
E-VTOL Council
BVLOS Council
Annual Symposium
Technical Library
Details
- Year established: 1968
Highlights and features
- We offer over 50 years of experience in flight test engineering education and collaboration
- Our global network spans multiple continents with active chapters worldwide
- Three specialized technical councils address emerging aerospace challenges
- We host annual symposiums featuring industry-leading technical presentations
- Our technical library contains 50+ years of flight test research and resources
Services
Technical Council
Our Technical Council promotes flight test engineering professionalism through technical communication forums and publishes the SFTE Reference Handbook. The council facilitates knowledge exchange on flight test technology issues while maintaining industry standards. Members benefit from specialized discussions on improving technical communications across all flight test engineering disciplines.
E-VTOL Council
The E-VTOL Council focuses on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft development, certification, and qualification. We advance flight test safety and efficiency for electric aircraft through specialized knowledge sharing and technical collaboration. The council addresses unique challenges in electric propulsion systems testing and regulatory compliance.
BVLOS Council
Our BVLOS Council addresses beyond visual line of sight aircraft testing challenges, promoting safety and efficiency in autonomous systems development. The council provides technical guidance for certification processes and qualification standards for unmanned aircraft systems. Members gain insights into emerging regulatory frameworks and testing methodologies.
Annual Symposium
The annual symposium offers technical paper presentations, safety discussions, and professional development courses. Hosted by rotating chapters, it facilitates global networking while showcasing cutting-edge flight test research. The event includes specialized tutorials and industry collaboration opportunities for aerospace professionals.
Technical Library
Our technical library provides access to 50+ years of symposium papers, videos, and specialized publications. Members can access historical research, current technical discussions, and industry-specific resources through this comprehensive digital archive. The collection supports ongoing professional development and technical reference needs.
Questions
What membership benefits does SFTE offer?
Members gain access to technical resources, global networking, symposiums, and specialized councils addressing emerging flight test technologies.
How can I join SFTE?
Visit our website to complete the membership application process with options for individual and corporate memberships.
What technical resources are available?
Our technical library contains 50+ years of symposium papers, the SFTE Reference Handbook, and specialized council publications.
When are SFTE symposiums held?
Annual symposiums occur each October with regional events hosted by local chapters throughout the year.
What technical councils exist?
We maintain three specialized councils: Technical Council, E-VTOL Council, and BVLOS Council for focused technical discussions.
What partnerships does SFTE maintain?
We partner with the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
