Carlos Pinedo
Edwards
Summary
With over 20 years an an aviation professional with experience in flight testing, systems engineering, and project management, an accomplished Test Pilot and Aerospace Engineer. A graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School with an impressive 3,350+ flight hours across more than 38 aircraft types. Expertise extends to a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences specializing in advanced display and control concepts for piloted vehicles. Demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in managing complex aerospace programs, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, and ensuring mission success in high-stakes environments.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
B-21 Test Pilot
420th Flight Test Squadron
09.2024 - Current
- Planned and executed flight test verification and validation initiatives for the B-21 program, identified and resolved critical design issues, impacting the aircraft meeting its airworthiness and performance goals.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to integrate design, implementation, and operational requirements, resulting in more cohesive and effective testing strategies, impacting overall mission success.
- Provided test pilot expertise for B-21 technology and research efforts, resulting in identifying and addressing man-machine interface issues, impacting pilot workload and overall system usability.
- Engaged with program office, military, and contract partners, resulting in improved communication & streamlined decision-making, impacting the overall effectiveness & suitability of the B-21 air vehicle design.
Dean of Faculty, Test Pilot
USAF Test Pilot School
05.2021 - 08.2024
- Oversaw 83 educators in the development and execution of the Flight Test Engineering curriculum, a 50 semester hour M.S. program, responsible for 107 graduates per year.
- Managed $35M Test Pilot School curriculum budget, resulting in optimal utilization of budget for high quality graduates, impacting graduates readiness to manage all aspects of flight testing
- Led 3 academic programs across 6 parallel tracks of 257 classes and 112 flights resulting in timely execution of curriculum, ensuring Test Pilot students prepared for current and emerging test.
- Established a mentoring program and Test Instructor Course for junior instructors and new professors, resulting in improved teaching effectiveness and morale, and dramatically improving quality of instruction.
Assistant Director of Operations, Test Pilot
USAF Test Pilot School
01.2016 - 07.2017
- Led the execution of the 1,300-hour, $40 million academic and flying curriculum, resulting in the graduation of 60 test pilots for the Department of Defense and five allied nations, impacting test capabilities, readiness, and training for multiple partner nations.
- Fixed critical navigation software as B-1 Test Program Lead, resulting in the first combat fielding of the Integrated Battle Stations upgrade system, impacting combat effectiveness and mission capabilities.
- Served as lead test pilot for the B-1 Self Contained Attitude Indicator program, resulting in the replacement of legacy standby instruments with a modern digital display, impacting flight safety and system supportability.
- Pioneered the effective integration of NASA's unmanned aerial vehicles into the National Airspace System as a C-12 test pilot flying with the NASA Ikhana UAV, resulting in paving the way for future integration of UAVs, impacting airspace safety and aviation.
- Developed and served as lead safety pilot for the Virtual Wingman Program using inflight mixed reality, resulting in improved flight testing and increased safety.
Assistant Director of Operations, Test Pilot
419th Flight Test Squadron
01.2014 - 12.2015
- Led 4 flight commanders through 34 flight test programs and a $64 million proficiency budget, resulting in enhanced training for 44 aircrew members in 6 different airframes, impacting operational readiness across various aircraft platforms.
- Served as Test Pilot Lead for a $2.9 million multi-ship defensive systems test mission, resulting in verification of new high/low altitude and airborne interceptor electronic warfare capabilities, impacting improved defensive capabilities and survivability.
- Spearheaded a 40-member B-1 team through 5 test programs worth $239 million, resulting in the Integrated Battle Station upgrade that merged 12 independent programs, impacting enhanced data link capabilities, modernized cockpit avionics, and improved aircrew situational awareness.
Education
Ph.D. - Aerospace Engineering
University of Colorado At Boulder
Boulder, CO06-2021
Master of Science - Flight Test Engineering
USAF Test Pilot School
Edwards, CAMaster of Science - Aeronautics And Astronautics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MABachelor of Science - Aerospace Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MASkills
- FAA Commercial & Instrument Multi-Engine Pilot
- Active FAA Class II Medical
- Active Top Secret/SCI Clearance
- Ground and Flight Test Evaluation
- Expert at Flight, Test, and Safety Review processes
- Systems Engineering
- Project Management
- Requirements Validation and Verification
- Risk Analysis Expertise
- Mission Planning, Development and Execution
- Excellent Communication skills
- Executive Leadership & strong interpersonal skills
Affiliations
- Society of Experimental Test Pilots
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Aerospace Medical Association
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
Timeline
B-21 Test Pilot
420th Flight Test Squadron
09.2024 - Current
Dean of Faculty, Test Pilot
USAF Test Pilot School
05.2021 - 08.2024
Assistant Director of Operations, Test Pilot
USAF Test Pilot School
01.2016 - 07.2017
Assistant Director of Operations, Test Pilot
419th Flight Test Squadron
01.2014 - 12.2015
Ph.D. - Aerospace Engineering
University of Colorado At Boulder
Master of Science - Flight Test Engineering
USAF Test Pilot School
Master of Science - Aeronautics And Astronautics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science - Aerospace Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology