Military aircraft, the systems they incorporate and weapons they employ, are incredibly complex contraptions requiring extensive development and testing. Pilots fly the aircraft and maintenance professionals maintain them, but who performs the testing?On this episode, guest co-host Ken Katz discusses the U.S. Air Force Flight Test Engineer profession with retired Colonel Eileen "BJ" Bjorkman, PhD, using her extensive history as a proxy for the many diverse tasks this community performs both in and out of uniform.Listener inquires addressed on this episode include how to discern similar-looking aircraft as friendly or enemy, and advice to student Air Force pilots on community selection considering workload, time away from family, etc. U.K. listeners interested Ken's latest B-1 Lancer book click here and use the code AUTH30 for 30% discount. U.S. listeners click here and use KATZ30. Offer expires 30 April 2022.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands