Test Pilot Elliot Seguin on Hello World w/ Ashlee Vance

It was a busy and difficult summer for Wasabi but that experience is the foundation of our current success.
As Ashlee mentions Justin and I's initial interview with them was just a couple of weeks after the quickie accident. You can see my black left eye in one of the interview shots. The quickie wreckage is behind me in the hangar, I had it hidden because it was technically quarantined while we waited for the NTSB to review the engine controller data. The other incident mentioned is discussed in the most recent Lancair video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5u8mH-maJxlgNE). It was a really interesting emergency on its own but it was certainly compounded by the recency of the quickie accident etc. The engine is related to race 33, which blew up a couple weeks later (kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6fYkGyadrmGfZI).
Jennifer Whaley Seguin was pregnant with our first at the time and needless to say life was full. They say when it rains it pours, and all you can do is put your head down and keep swimming. I wouldn't trade that time in my life for anything, but looking back on it now...things were busy.
What do you think?
Full Hello World Episode here:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXXHlX-Gbp2reqM
Related @redbull crash video:
www.redbull.com/us-en/episodes/mojave-test-pilot-breaking-the-day-s01-e01
Related Article:
www.airspacemag.com/flight-today/diy-jet-180963198/
Accident report: docs.google.com/document/d/1bIC3H3Z7UVuESJpjotc4F108w7LdnkaKs7J-dz-EJVc/edit?usp=sharing
More info on the Wasabi Siren: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seguin_Wasabi_Special
#pilot #flighttest #testpilot @business @mastenspace @ashlee vance #spacetourism #experimentalaircraft #aviation #mojave #commercialspace Masten Space Systems, Inc.

[@kilroy914]

Elliot, nobody can ever come to you say you're taking a backseat to what life has to offer. I really appreciate your willingness to share as much as you do. I've been grounded due to medical reasons for the past, ug, ten years or so now and it's content that you and a few other select people produce that keeps me excited to get back in the saddle and to be a much better pilot than I was back then.

[@utopiasnow]

I am sorry to hear about your break from flying but glad to hear we have helped pass the time. Let me know if we can help.

[@kilroy914]

@@utopiasnow thank you, Elliot. Means a lot!

[@mahanehsani1246]

"Lets make something fly that doesn't look like it should"😄👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@utopiasnow]

YESS!!

[@JohnVHRC]

Awesome job man, you have a way of talking, explaining things, thats just awesome! Keep up the great work!

[@utopiasnow]

Thanks for saying that. If I communicate anything successfully it's only luck, they don't teach that in engineering school.

[@gregorygehrke1850]

Elliot, you never disappoint

[@utopiasnow]

Thanks for saying that.

[@gtr1952]

First time I saw that. That reminds me, Peter, from the 'Raptor" project, did a second test flight, himself, a couple days ago! That, was harder to watch!! Since he posted it I at least knew he made it down. I've asked a hard question before and he just blows it right off. Scary stuff... 8( Thanks for sharing!! --gary

[@utopiasnow]

Thanks for stopping by. Peter is getting to the fun part now, I wish him the best.

[@I-0-0-I]

Watched a mini-doc on the U-2 the other day and I finally know why "glitter" :) Mojave heritage. Cool as heck. Cheers man.

[@utopiasnow]

Glad you dig, thanks!!

[@gorgly123]

Is there a special certificate from the FAA for test pilots. For example, turbojet aircraft require a type rating. When there is a new type built, how are the pilots qualified to fly it?

[@utopiasnow]

Great question. For this program I got a temporary authorization to fly the airplane. If the program had gone much further I would have applied for a permanent authorization which would have required a ground observed check ride. There is no specific test pilot rating in the US.

[@Tglass]

Well, it seems the goal has not changed in the 4 years since. Keep the great stuff coming!

[@utopiasnow]

Thanks man.

[@basumaiku]

Beautiful segment ❤️

[@utopiasnow]

They do nice work.

[@basumaiku]

@@utopiasnow they had a good subject

[@utopiasnow]

@@basumaiku hahaha, thanks for saying that.

[@basumaiku]

@@utopiasnow :)

[@folgee7368]

Sheeesh, Elliot your pretty much the most successful civillian test pilot out there!

[@backyardgarage912]

Very interesting! Thanks!

[@utopiasnow]

Thanks man

[@jimz68]

Elliot, you truly do have the "Right Stuff". Airplanes Are Cool.

[@utopiasnow]

Thanks for saying that man.

[@danielskoog5565]

Glad you made it out alive!! I can't help but feel I'm in similar shoes, as I'm graduating soon with an mechanical engineering degree and a passion for aviation, Flight Testing seems like an awesome job for me to end up with. What is some advice you would give to someone in my position to get to where you are?

[@utopiasnow]

Thanks for asking that. It's a tough spot, I know it well. 1. As an engineer you understand the concepts, but as a ME you miss the specific application towards aerospace. You will need to fill that in. I believe ME is the best engineering degree to get, but there are abbreviations and controls details that will alienate you quick. 2. You need flight experience. Commercial, instrument, 1200 hours minimum. Time in weird stuff is better, time in the modification loop is better still. 3. You need to have built stuff. As soon as the test pilot describes the problem to the owner the next step is how do we fix it. If you know how to build stuff you will earn your paycheck in this moment. The best place to get this is in the center of the design build test loop. In short you need to find a shop that is building new different types of airplanes on short cycles. Or you need to find a way to be at all the companies when they learn those big lessons but gone before they drown in the paperwork on the far side. Did that help?

[@danielskoog5565]

@@utopiasnow ​Thanks Elliot! This totally helps!! At my university, I've been taking as many aviation-related classes as I can. I've taken Applied Aero, Compressible Flow, and have Controls and Stability in the queue for next semester. I'm also completing some undergrad research experimenting with some different kind of BLC devices that force airflow over the wing camber by the inlet or outlet of an electric ducted fan, depending on the fan's placement (forward or aft of the wing camber). I will be testing these concepts in an RC plane build I will be starting soon as part of the research. And on that note, I LOVE to build everything, ranging from RC stuff, to 3D printing, to wood work, you name it. But I am lacking in flight experience, as in I have none, other than three or four flights with a friend in their plane. I guess that's the next thing on my 2-do list!

[@montreysmitherman7466]

Great interview, I have more respect for a man like you than a military trained pilot, unlike them you want to know what's happening and you make the effort to find out why it's happening, much respect sir!!

[@utopiasnow]

Thanks

[@emmanueljrodriguez691]

Awesome video! Glad you walked away from that!

[@utopiasnow]

Thanks for the comment.

[@paulo7200]

Excellent video!

[@utopiasnow]

Glad you liked it!

[@bartofilms]

Geez. I had no idea that the jet powered Experimental had crashed. So have they given up using those Czec. APU's for GA propulsion now? Did they figure out why they failed?

[@utopiasnow]

Check out the report linked above. Short answer is we never got a great answer. Despite data logging, and mechanical inspection.

[@bartofilms]

@@utopiasnow Interesting Report. Glad U made it out O.K. Isn't that Sonnex V-Tail using the same engine now? That one only has 45min endurance, I see. But it is fast and likes to fly high. 😎👍 Cheers!

[@luke9405]

@@utopiasnow I am currently an enrolled flight test engineering student at the National Test Pilot School. It has always been my dream to make the leap from engineer to pilot (currently have PPL) and I notice in your video you mention being one of the few who have transitioned from the engineering role to the pilot seat. If you ever have the time I would love to speak with you about how you made this possible. I am looking for my own path but a nudge in the right direction would be great as before this video I was unsure if making the leap was even possible.

[@Flywithhamdan]

Elliot can you share about how you became a test pilot.I myself am an engineer currently doing my commercial rating .how do I get into a test pilot career

[@utopiasnow]

Thanks for the comment. I will put something together.

[@Flywithhamdan]

@@utopiasnow kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3WqnKxto6islcU

[@MalachiTheBowlingGod]

I would enjoy seeing a reaction video - afterthoughts, other ppls reactions, comparison to other emergencies - stuff like that.

[@utopiasnow]

Have you read the report? (link in description)

[@MalachiTheBowlingGod]

@@utopiasnow Missed it - thanks. I read about the crash and skimmed the rest - what wonderful heft! (No surprise here, I write technical documents.)

[@ronpurcell9984]

Pretty cool piece Elliot.

[@utopiasnow]

Thanks man

[@ForFunFlyer]

Nice video! Kudos! 🤙🏻

[@utopiasnow]

Glad you liked it!!

[@g6rcteam81]

GOOD STUFF!

[@utopiasnow]

Thank you!!

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Awesome guy....Thanks

[@utopiasnow]

Thank you!!

[@steveshoemaker6347]

@@utopiasnow This never gets..Old....Myself l always like the drops...What a rush....Thanks again Elliot you are the best...l am your biggest fan....My young friend...!

[@cleareddirect7013]

Great camera angle. You should work in Hollywood

[@Tunergeek]

🤘🤘

[@utopiasnow]

Woot woot!!

[@viro3867]

Жалко Quickie. 😥. Но Q1 не убил пилота! 😊👍🇧🇾

[@utopiasnow]

:)

[@Jerryberry172]

Elliott!!!!

[@utopiasnow]

Hey!!

[@retydeere1111]

Elliott is Awesome and #airplanesarecool

[@utopiasnow]

Thanks man.

[@thomasharvanek2411]

Airplanes are cool

[@utopiasnow]

#truth