View source for École du personnel navigant d'essais et de réception

[[Image:EPNER.png|right]]
'''EPNER''' ('''''École du Personnel Navigant d’Essais et de Réception''''') is the French [[test pilot]] school, based on the [[Istres Air Base|Istres Le Tube Airbase]], [[France]]. One of the five main test pilot schools in the western hemisphere, EPNER maintains close links with the three schools; the [[Empire Test Pilots' School]] (ETPS); the [[U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School|United States Air Force Test Pilot School]] (USAFTPS) and the [[United States Naval Test Pilot School]] (USNTPS). 

==History==
EPNER was established in {{start date and age|1946|p=y}} at the French flight test centre in [[Brétigny-sur-Orge]], to train specialist crews involved in test flying. They underwent theoretical and practical training to allow flight testing of aircraft to be conducted in the safest possible conditions.<ref>[https://www.aerobuzz.fr/culture-aero/lepner-capitalise-sur-sa-memoire/ L’EPNER capitalise sur sa mémoire]</ref>

Based on [[Istres]] since 1962, EPNER is a division of the CEV reporting directly to the Direction des Centres d’expertise et d’Essais (DCE) under the control of the procurement agency of the [[Minister of Defence (France)|French Ministry of Defense]], the DGA ([[Direction générale de l'armement]]). This gives the school a unique position between the armed forces and industry on the one hand and between the activities of testing military and civilian sectors on the other.<ref>[https://www.maritima.info/actualites/aeronautique/istres/13339/istres-l-epner-une-nouvelle-promotion-du-haut-de-ses-75-ans.html Istres. L'EPNER : une nouvelle promotion du haut de ses 75 ans]</ref>

==Training==
EPNER provides training for test pilots, flight test engineers, flight engineers and technicians involved in flight testing and airtraffic controllers involved in control of flight tests.

Aircrew training include Class A (Experimental and Acceptance Testing) or the shorter Class B (Acceptance Testing) courses on either fixed or rotary-wing aircraft. A light aircraft test pilot course is also offered.<ref>[https://www.journal-aviation.com/actualites/41059-l-epner-doit-maintenir-un-haut-degre-de-competences L'EPNER doit "maintenir un haut degré de compétences"]</ref>

==Aircraft==

Fixed wing aircrew can expect to fly [[Dassault Mirage 2000|Mirage 2000]], [[Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet|Alphajet]], CASA 235 (twin turboprop), [[Falcon 20]], [[Pilatus PC-7|PC 7]],  Gliders, [[Airbus A320]], [[Bombardier 415|CL415 Water Bomber]], and numerous other types.
Rotary wing aircrew will fly [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin]], [[Eurocopter Ecureuil|Squirrel]], [[Aérospatiale Puma|Puma]], [[Super Puma]], [[Aérospatiale Gazelle|Gazelle]], [[Robinson R44]], [[Bell 205]], [[BO 105]], [[Westland Lynx|Lynx]] and other types.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.epner.fr}}

== See also ==
* [[François Hussenot]], one of the founders of the school.
* [[List of test pilot schools]]

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[[Category:Air force test units and formations]]
[[Category:Test pilot schools]]