The next thing I knew, it was my number one choice for college, and I was there. As a project manager for F-16s, Nicole is responsible for testing upgrades to the aircraft. She also flies photo chase missions, during which she films other jets performing tests. The F-16s fly up to Mach 2, twice the speed of sound, at altitudes of 40,000 to 50,000 feet. These chaps are specially designed to force blood that gets pulled to the legs back up to the head so a pilot doesn't pass out after loops, turns, and dives.
Average flights last up to two hours.
Being a flight test engineer is definitely a high risk profession. You have to know what you're going to do, be aware of everything around you, and understand the risks. We go through detailed reviews of the specific risks for each mission and how to avoid them. However, we do fly elevated risk missions and hazardous risk missions. Both of the Talon's crewmen were killed, though Nicole and the pilot of the F-16 were unhurt.