NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, MD – The United States Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) marked a significant milestone as 31 students from Class 165 graduated after completing its rigorous 11-month program. The graduates were designated as Engineering Test Pilots, Engineering Test Flight Officers, and Test Project Engineers, equipped to advance the development and evaluation of aircraft and aircraft systems.
The ceremony featured a unique keynote address from NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, both retired U.S. Navy captains, along with a guest appearance by NASA astronaut and U.S. Space Force Col. Nick Hague. Their message, recorded aboard the International Space Station (ISS), emphasized the importance of innovation and collaboration in flight testing. Williams and Wilmore, both USNTPS alumni, are currently serving aboard the ISS as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew and are expected to return to Earth in February 2025 on the NASA SpaceX Crew-9 mission. Williams, a 1993 graduate of USNTPS Class 104, has spent over 510 days in space, while Wilmore, a 1992 graduate of Class 102, has logged over 370 days. The keynote was preceded by a special address from Commodore Chris Smallhorn, Commander Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and a USNTPS alumnus from Class 115 (1999).
The ceremony, held at the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department in Lexington Park, Maryland, highlighted the school’s international reach, with graduates representing the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Israeli Air Force, Italian Navy, French Defense Procurement and Technology Agency, Norwegian Defense Material Agency, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force. Graduates were congratulated by Capt. Elizabeth Somerville, Commander of Naval Test Wing Atlantic; Cmdr. Travis Hartman, USNTPS Commanding Officer; and Dr. John Tritschler, Chief of Academics at USNTPS.
Several graduates received distinguished awards for their outstanding achievements. Army Capt. Kenneth Dailey earned the Empire Test Pilots School Developmental Testing Thesis Award for exceptional performance during the capstone exercise, highlighting the partnership between USNTPS and the United Kingdom’s Empire Test Pilots School. Lt. Cmdr. Zachary Daniel received the Captain Willie McCool Outstanding Student Award for top performance in academics, flight skills, and technical writing and also received the Developmental Testing Thesis Award for the best capstone report. Army Lt. Col. Mark Salvati was honored with the Syd Sherby Leadership Award, named after Capt. Sydney Sherby, recognizing exemplary leadership within the class.
Of the 31 graduates, 19 completed the Engineering Test Pilot Course, seven completed the Engineering Test Flight Officer Course, and five completed the Test Project Engineer Course. These roles are critical to advancing cutting-edge aircraft and aviation systems.
As a component of Naval Test Wing Atlantic under the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), USNTPS trains pilots and engineers to lead development testing and evaluation for naval aviation. Located at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, the school plays a vital role in enhancing operational readiness and capability for naval aircraft.
