An aspiring U.S. Air Force pilot found a rare opportunity this year to work directly with a senior officer, gaining hands-on experience with advanced aviation technology while observing the calm, cool, collected demeanor required of airmen. They met while conducting research for their engineering graduate degrees at the University of Iowa Operator Performance Laboratory (OPL).

Beau Benzing, a McGregor native and Air Force second lieutenant, and Maj. Kyle Smith, an Air Force Test Pilot School graduate, were conducting research that could revolutionize how pilots work with emerging AI technologies in military aviation.

“I don't know anywhere else in the country where a 23-year-old who wants to go to the Test Pilot School can work with an actual Test Pilot School graduate, get in a plane, and fly around,” Benzing said.

This month Benzing, with a master’s, and Smith, with a PhD received their diplomas in industrial and systems engineering, marking the end of their time at UI and the OPL hangars at the Iowa City Municipal Airport.

OPL, a flight test lab with more than a dozen aircraft, has cultivated a strong partnership with the Air Force Test Pilot School. OPL director, Tom “Mach” Schnell, hosts or travels to hold flight test events for test pilot students each year. The UI College of Engineering, thanks to this partnership, has become a destination for accomplished test pilots, such as Smith, to complete a PhD that will benefit both the student and the Air Force.

After graduation, Smith will return to the Test Pilot School as an associate dean of research and F-16 instructor pilot.

"Being at OPL gives students a real leg up and provides perspective of where technology comes from and how it fits into the bigger picture of where the defense industry is going,” Smith said.

In Benzing, Smith sees important guardrails for the future, ensuring the human perspective is fully factored in as AI and other technologies advance.

“Hopefully he'll be one of the guys who can pull the reins appropriately as technology rolls out to make sure that we're progressing safely and thoughtfully,” said Smith, who goes by the call sign “Assassin.”

Benzing’s next step is pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma. If his dream to become a test pilot comes to fruition, he could wind up back at OPL. Test pilots conduct “dry runs” and evaluate experimental equipment of the future.

"When you're around here at this step of your career, you just want to be a sponge and learn as much as you can,” said Benzing, who was tagged (Beau) “Tox.” “And there's no cooler place to work as a recent college graduate."