Air Force Test Pilot School seeks Piaggio P-180 AVANTI aircraft for student flights

The United States Air Force Test Pilot School is seeking to award a one-year Blanket Purchase Agreement to vendors capable of providing Piaggio P-180 AVANTI aircraft for staff evaluation and qualitative evaluation flights. The Air Force made the request in contract documents released on Monday.

The Test Pilot School (TPS) is requesting sufficient sorties to support two classes per year, totaling about 48 students. Each student shall have the opportunity to fly the aircraft from either the left or right seat position (depending on the student’s background) with a vendor safety pilot at alternate controls.

Length of sorties will depend on the number of students and the profile flown. For example, it is estimated that 6–8 students on board will require a 3–4-hour sortie. This approximates to 30 minutes per student at the controls. A limited number of staff flights are also required, in conjunction with student flights.

Flight operations will occur from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., or a local airfield such as Mojave Spaceport.

For aircraft based outside the local area, aircraft shall be ferried to the designated operating location. It is estimated that two ferries are required per year.

Flight support from the vendor will include aircraft flights, ground support (i.e., crew chief and maintenance), pre-flight training, instructor/safety pilots, and required briefings.

TPS will provide fuel (or reimbursement) as required to perform the required flights. Hangar space and other ground support/equipment will be provided upon mutual agreement between TPS and the vendor.

Interested parties are requested to furnish a statement detailing their capabilities to provide these services, including highlights of experience on similar government or commercial contracts/ agreements.

Interested vendors should submit responses no later than April 5.