What Navy Test Pilot School Really Teaches You — And Why It's Not What You Think

In this episode of The Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast, host Ryan Keys sits down with Commander Keith "Kiki" Kulow, USN (Ret.), whose career bridges the high-stakes world of flight testing and front-line disaster response. From flying "variable stability" aircraft that can emulate any airframe to leading the "Dusty Dogs" of HSC-7 through a historic hurricane season, Commander Kulow's story is one of technical mastery and extreme adaptability. He shares deep insights into the rigorous selection process for Test Pilot School (TPS), the surprising emphasis on written communication in flight testing, and the leadership challenges of executing unscripted rescue missions in the wake of Harvey, Irma, and Maria.