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About SETP

Article I General

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Section 1. Name 

The name of the organization is “The Society of Experimental Test Pilots.”  It has been incorporated as a non-profit corporation under the provision of Part One of Division Two of Title One of the Corporation Code of the State of California.  The Society of Experimental Test Pilots hereinafter will be referred to as the “Society.” 

Section 2. Definition of Name 

Experimental test pilots shall include those pilots engaged in the developmental flight testing of aerospace vehicles, their engines, or associated components. 

Section 3. Independence 

The Society shall maintain independence and shall in no way become bound by any other organization except by amendment of this Constitution.  The Society will recognize only legal or moral obligations to any person, group of persons or organizations, or government with which the Society routinely conducts business. 

 

 

 

Article II Aims And Objectives

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Section 1.  Primary Purposes 

To promote that part of the aeronautical endeavor wherein there lies the moral obligation of the test pilot to the airplane passenger, the commercial, private and service pilot, without affecting the competitive structure of industry. 

To promote education of members, of those directly associated with aeronautical activities, and of the general public concerning those endeavors peculiar to the profession of the experimental test pilot. 

Section 2. General Purposes 

To promote air safety by presenting pilot opinion; to maintain cognizance of new flight equipment already adopted or in development; to exchange ideas, experiences and information regarding airplane escape systems and techniques; and to otherwise aid in the advancement of flight safety. 

To promote technical advancement by providing for professional education through lectures, displays and presentations and by the exchange of information for mutual development of improved test techniques. 

To promote sound aeronautical design and development; to describe and discuss newly encountered phenomena in the realm of flight for the mutual benefit of all, within the bounds of the primary purpose of this corporation and governmental security regulations;  and to provide a society where the interchange of ideas, thoughts and suggestions concerning the aircraft as it affects the pilot will ultimately result in aid to the designer. 

To broaden professional relationships among members; to maintain and increase the prestige, standing and influence of the test pilot in aeronautical progress; to assist in the professional development of experimental pilots; to provide scholarships and otherwise aid the families of deceased members; to provide scholarships and otherwise aid members in receiving education and graduate work in flight technique and safety; and to otherwise contribute to aeronautical advancement. 

To perform any other acts lawfully permitted of a non-profit corporation. 

 

Article III Membership

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Section 1. General 

All persons who are engaged as pilots in the practice of experimental or developmental flight testing, production flight testing, or in other flying which contributes to the advancement of flight testing techniques, aeronautical development and pilot safety shall be eligible for consideration for membership in the Society.  Consideration in grading is given to professional education and experience, publications, record of aeronautical achievements, and contributions to scientific knowledge. 

Section 2. Grades 

The membership of the Society shall be divided into six grades, namely: (1) Honorary Fellow, (2) Fellow, (3) Associate Fellow, (4) Member, (5) Associate Member, and (6) Corporate Member.  This group may hereinafter be referred to as “members” or “the membership.” 

Section 3. Honorary Fellow 

An Honorary Fellow shall have achieved particular distinction in the aerospace field and shall have engaged as an experimental test pilot at some time during his career. 

Nomination of an eligible candidate for Honorary Fellow may be volunteered in writing to the Fellows Coordinating Committee by any member of the Society.  Such a nomination shall be accompanied by appropriate information and documentation that will enable the chairman of the Coordinating Committee to verify the candidate’s history and eligibility for the distinction of Honorary Fellow prior to the annual meeting of the committee. 

Selection of a candidate to the grade of Honorary Fellow shall be by three-fourths or more affirmative votes of those Fellows present at the annual meeting of the Fellows Coordinating Committee.  Selection(s) of Nominee(s) shall be presented to the Board of Directors for final approval. 

Section 4. Fellow 

A Fellow shall have been an Associate Fellow for one year or more and shall have attained a position of distinction in the field of experimental flight testing.  Fellows shall be proposed and elected by active Fellows of good standing in the Society.  Voting shall be by secret ballot and shall require a minimum affirmative vote of three-fourths of those executed ballots returned for election. 

A meeting of the Fellows shall be held annually no later than the month of June to propose new Fellows and to select a committee for coordinating the election of new Fellows.  Fellows who are unable to attend this meeting may submit proposals for the upgrading of Associate Fellows via the Chairman of the Coordinating Committee. 

The Coordinating Committee shall prepare background resumes for all nominees and separate secret ballots.  These resumes and ballots shall be distributed to the active Fellows in good standing prior to August first and the ballots are to be completed and returned to the Coordinating Committee not later than August thirty-first. 

The Coordinating Committee shall communicate the results of this election to the President of the Society not later than September tenth of the current year. 

The Coordinating Committee shall also be responsible for calling the subsequent annual meeting of the Fellows. 

Section 5. Associate Fellow 

An Associate Fellow shall have been closely associated with experimental flight testing for a period of not less than ten years, of which not less than five years shall have been as an experimental test pilot.  He shall have been a member of the Society for not less than five years during which period he shall have held the grade of Member for not less than two years. 

Applicants for this grade shall file an application for upgrading with the Membership Committee which shall reference five members of the Society in good standing, of whom three or more shall be Fellows or Associate Fellows.  The Secretary shall solicit letters of recommendation from each reference listed.  Unless four favorable replies are received within 60 days, the application shall be treated as unsuccessful. 

The Membership Committee shall determine upon receipt of the application and four favorable letters of recommendation whether the applicant possesses the full experience and membership requirements for advancement to Associate Fellow. 

Upon verification that the applicant does meet all the criteria for upgrading, including the four favorable letters of recommendation, the Membership Committee will notify the Member that he is upgraded to the grade of Associate Fellow. 

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply for advancement in grade to Associate Fellow after a lapse of one year from the date of said notification. 

Section 6. Member 

Members shall be pilots in one of the following categories: 

1. Pilots who are actively engaged and have been so engaged for not less than one year in experimental or developmental flight testing of aerospace vehicles, their engines, or associated components. 

2. Pilots who, while engaged as a crew member in an experimental or developmental manned space vehicle program, have responsibility for control of the vehicle trajectory during a flight which achieves an altitude of at least 50 miles. 

3. The Membership Committee and the Board of Directors may recognize prospective members who, for reasons beyond their control such as physical disability, flight test accident, etc., do not apply while they are actively engaged in test flying. 

Section 7. Associate Member 

Associate Members shall be pilots in one of the following categories: 

1. Pilots or copilots who are actively engaged in experimental or developmental flight testing of aerospace vehicles, their engines or associated components, with not less than six months’ experience; or 

2. Pilots who are actively engaged in production flight testing with not less than two years’experience; or 

3. Pilots who are actively engaged in flying engineering evaluations, performance flights and related tests, with not less than one year of experience; or 

4. Pilots actively engaged in astronaut training for not less than 12 months in an experimental or developmental space program and have completed an SETP accredited course of test pilot training. 

5. The Membership Committee and the Board of Directors may recognize prospective members who, for reasons beyond their control such as physical disability, flight test accident, etc., do not apply while they are actively engaged in test flying. 

6. Pilots who are graduates of an SETP recognized test pilot school.  If none of the other categories (paragraphs 1 through 4 above) of the requirements are met by the applicant, then under this paragraph the applicant may be granted provisional Associate Member status for a period of up to three years after graduation.  If, during the three year period, the provisional member does not satisfactorily complete the full requirements under one of the above paragraphs (1 through 4), the provisional membership will be terminated. 

Qualifying experience shall be pro-rated for applicants having a background in both categories two and three of this section. 

Graduates of a recognized test pilot training course may be credited with up to six months’ experience toward the experience requirements of categories two and three of this section. 

Experience as a pilot of chase aircraft, missile control aircraft, or other test support aircraft shall not be considered as qualifying experience unless special factors justify designation of such chase, control, or support flights as experimental or developmental in nature on their own merit.  Endurance testing and maintenance testing shall not be considered as qualifying experience. 

Section 8. Corporate Member 

See Article IV 

Section 9. Eligibility for Fellow or Associate Fellow 

Only  Members shall be eligible for the title of Associate Fellow or Fellow. 

Section 10. Eligibility for Office 

Only Members, Associate Fellows and Fellows of the Society, in good standing, are eligible for the position of a Technical Adviser, Section Representative or Officer of the Society. 

Section 11. Voting Rights 

All members in good standing, except Corporate Members, shall be entitled to one vote at business meetings.  Proxies authorizing a voting member to vote for an absent member shall be signed by such absent member and submitted to the Secretary in advance of the meeting.  Corporate Members, Associate Members, and Honorary Fellows are not entitled to a vote on governmental matters, defined as election of officers and amendments to the Constitution of the Society. 

Section 12. Application for Membership 

Application for membership in the Society must be in writing.  All applicants shall state and agree that, if elected to membership, they will be bound by and obey the Constitution, rules and regulations of the Society, and shall also agree that, if for any cause their membership in the Society shall terminate, their rights, title and interest in or to the Society shall cease, subject to the provisions contained in Article V thereof.    No member may assign his membership or right arising therefrom except as otherwise provided by the Constitution of the Society. 

Section 13. Election to Membership 

The Membership Committee shall determine the eligibility of applicants for membership in the Society in accordance with established requirements.  Eligibility shall be verified by contacting references supplied by the applicant and other members of the Society if such action is indicated.  The applicant may thereafter be elected to membership in the Society by affirmative vote of the Membership Committee operating under rules approved by the Board of Directors of the Society. 

Section 14. Certificate of Membership 

The Membership Committee shall furnish each member a Certificate of Membership in the Society, which Certificate shall be in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine and which Certificate shall indicate plainly on the face thereof the grade and date of membership held by the member. 

Section 15. Obligation of Membership 

The Constitution and any amendments thereto made hereafter shall be deemed a contract between the Society and its members for the benefit of each and all, and shall be observed and adhered to by each member; and each member of the Society, by virtue of his or its membership, covenants and agrees with the Society, and with each and every member thereof, that he or it will observe and adhere to and be bound by the same. 

Section 16. Liable Court Proceedings 

No member shall be liable for any minimum contributions in any court proceedings. 

 

Article IV Corporate Members

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Section 1. Corporate Members

Any firm or corporation engaged in the study, design, manufacture or testing of manned aerospace vehicles or components thereof, including equipment to support such vehicles, shall be eligible for Corporate Membership in the Society. 

Every firm or corporation elected a member of the Society shall designate by letter, signed by a principal executive officer of the firm or corporation, a representative who shall officially represent such firm or corporation.  Each such firm or corporation may also similarly designate alternate representatives who may perform the same functions in the absence of the representative.  Corporate Members are not entitled to vote and shall not hold any office of the Society. 

Section 2. Application for Corporate Membership

Application for corporate membership in the Society must be in writing.  All applications shall state that if elected to corporate membership the firm or corporation will be bound by and will obey the SETP Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the Society, and also agree that, if for any cause its membership in the Society shall terminate, it’s rights, title and intuits in or to the Society shall cease, subject to the provisions contained in Article V hereof.  No Corporate Member may assign its membership or rights arising therefrom except as otherwise provided by the Constitution of the Society. 

Section 3. Election to Corporate Membership

The Membership Committee shall determine the eligibility of firms and corporations for membership in the Society and by affirmative vote, operating under the rules approved by the Board of Directors, the applicant may be approved for corporate membership.

Section 4. Certificate of Corporate Membership

The Membership Committee shall furnish each Corporate Member a Certificate of Membership in the Society, which Certificate shall be in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine and which Certificate shall indicate plainly on the face thereof the name and date of membership held by the Corporate Member. 

Section 5. Obligations of Corporate Membership

The Constitution and any amendments thereto made hereafter shall be deemed a contract between the Society and its Corporate Members for the benefit of each and all, and shall be observed and adhered to by each Corporate member; and each Corporate Member of the Society, and with each and every member thereof, that it will observe and adhere to and be bound by the same. 

Section 6. Release of Corporate Interest

Termination of membership in the Society in any manner whatsoever of any corporation, shall operate as a release of all rights, title or interest on the part of any such Corporate Member in or to the Society, subject to the provisions contained herein, and the rights of any official representative designated by such member shall cease. 

Section 7. Waiver of Corporate Member Claims

Any corporation that ceases to be a member for any cause, shall be deemed expressly to waive all further rights, title and interest of membership and also expressly waives all claims to recover fees or charges paid to the Society.  By acceptance of  corporate membership and payment of dues, each Corporate Member expressly agrees to such waiver of claims. 

Section 8. Liable Corporate Member Court Proceedings

No Corporate Member shall be liable for any minimum contributions in any court of proceedings. 

Section 9. Corporate Membership Standing

Any Corporate Member who fails to pay its dues, or other indebtedness to the Society within 30 days after the same becomes due will be notified by the Society and shall thereupon cease to be a Corporate Member in good standing.  If payment is not received within the next succeeding 60 days the Corporate Member shall be reported to the Membership Committee as in arrears, and at the direction of the Committee may be dropped from the membership rolls.

Section 10. Corporate Member Resignation, Reinstatement and Expulsion

Any Corporate Member while in good standing may withdraw from the Society by giving written notice of resignation to the Society and such written notice shall operate as a release of all rights, title or interest on the part of such Corporate Member in or to the Society.  A former Corporate Member may be reinstated as a member in good standing during the membership year in which resignation occurred upon payment of any indebtedness owed the Society.  A former Corporate Member shall not be subject to reinstatement at the end of the membership year except by application for membership subject to the rules applicable to new applications. 

A Corporate Member of the Society shall be subject to expulsion for conduct or policies contrary to the general welfare of the Society.  Any charge against a Corporate Member under this Section shall be detailed in writing to the Board of Directors and shall be signed by not less than five Fellows or Associate Fellows of the Society in good standing.  If it is the majority opinion of the Board of Directors that there is sufficient evidence to warrant an investigation, the investigation will be conducted and action taken in accordance with Article V, Section 6. 

Section 11. Special Contributions

Any Corporate Member may make special contributions to the Society for the purpose of increasing the aims and objectives of Society activities, provided that all such contributions and the terms of its acceptance shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. 

 

 

Article V Termination And Reinstatement Of Active Membership

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Section 1. Inactive Status 

A Fellow, Associate Fellow, Member or Associate Member who has discontinued his active relationship with flight testing, or may be desirous of temporary or permanent separation for any ethical and proper reason, may be placed on the inactive list.  The member shall make written request for transfer to the inactive list while a member in good standing.  Transfer to the inactive list shall become effective upon review by the Membership Committee.  

Members on the inactive list shall have no voting rights and neither shall they be subject to dues or assessments but may elect to continue on the mailing list to receive the publications and announcements of the Society upon payment of an annual administrative fee to be determined by the Board of Directors.  Members on the inactive list will not be granted price discounts normally offered to active members.

Section 2. Resignation 

Any active member may withdraw from the Society by giving written notice of resignation to the Society, and such written resignation shall operate as a release of all right, title or interest on the part of such member or to the Society. 

Section 3.   Membership Standing 

Any member who fails to pay his dues or other indebtedness to the Society within 30 days after the same shall become due, shall be notified by the Society and will thereupon cease to be a member in good standing.  If payment is not made within the next succeeding 60 days, he shall be reported to the Membership Committee as in arrears and, at the direction of the Committee, transferred to the inactive list. 

Section 4. Release of Interest 

Termination of membership in the Society in any manner whatsoever, of any individual, shall operate as a release of all right, title or interest on the part of any such member in or to the Society, subject to the provisions contained in Article V hereof. 

Section 5. Reinstatement 

A member on the inactive list in accordance with Sections 1 and 3 of this Article may be reinstated to active membership previously held upon pro rata payment of dues for the current membership year, plus a penalty fee determined by the Board of Directors. 

A member who has resigned may be reinstated during the membership year in which resignation occurred, upon payment of all dues and fees owed for the full membership year.  After the membership year, a member who has resigned must meet the same requirements as a new applicant. 

Section 6. Expulsion 

A member of the Society shall be subject to expulsion for unethical professional conduct or for willful conduct contrary to the general welfare of the Society. 

Only offenses of an extremely serious nature shall result in charges against a member of the Society under this Section.  Every effort shall be made to expedite a complete investigation of any accusation under this Section. 

Any charge against a member under this Section shall be detailed in writing to the Board of Directors and shall be signed by not less than five members of the Society in good standing.

If it is the majority opinion of the Board of Directors that there is sufficient evidence to warrant an investigation of any charge formally presented in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the President shall appoint an Investigating Board consisting of three Fellows, three Associate Fellows, and three Members of the Society.  The President of the Society shall coordinate the investigation and act as Chairman of the Investigating Board. 

The accused member shall be furnished with a copy of the charge and shall be given ample opportunity to refute the charge either in person or by counsel before the Board of Investigation at a hearing to be called by the Board. 

At least six members of the ten-member Investigating Board shall be present at any hearing under this Section.  A unanimous vote of the members of the Investigating Board present at such hearing shall be required for expulsion of the accused member.  In the absence of a unanimous vote of the Investigating Board for expulsion, the charge shall be dismissed.  Such hearing shall be open to any member of the Society but other persons shall be excluded from the hearings unless invited to appear as witnesses by the Investigating Board. 

 

 
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