Knowledge is Power

Colonel Sabrina “Poco” Pabon

By Matt Ferrari

Great test pilots and flight test engineers aren’t born, they’re made. They’re made at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (TPS) at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California. Colonel Sabrina “Poco” Pabon is the Commandant of the United States Air Force Test Pilot School, taking command of TPS in July of 2020. While addressing the audience during the change of command ceremony, she found herself almost in disbelief, looking out from the same stage that she crossed nearly 25 years before when she graduated from Desert High School at Edwards AFB.

Her father was a career enlisted man serving 26 years in the USAF and Sabrina was born at March AFB California. She grew up in an Air Force family, moving around as her father’s military assignments changed throughout his career. Just prior to her junior year of high school, her father received a new assignment and her family moved to Edwards AFB. After graduating from high school, Sabrina was accepted into the University of Notre Dame, where she completed the Electrical Engineering program and earned a Bachelor of Science degree on an Air Force ROTC scholarship. After graduating, she was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force on July 2nd, 1999. Her plan was to stay in for just the four years that she owed the Air Force in repayment for her ROTC scholarship. Some 23 years later, her Air Force story continues, including more than 800 military flight hours as a senior officer aircrew member in some 40 different types of aircraft as a flight test engineer and instructor flight test engineer. When asked if she has a favorite aircraft, not having to think long about it she answered with a smile, “Probably the Black Hawk helicopter, and the F-16!”

Throughout her career, she has continued to develop herself professionally and advance her education by completing multiple professional military courses of study, as well as earning a Master of science degree in Electrical Engineering from Wright State University. In 2006, she graduated from the U.S. Air Force Flight Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, completing the Experimental Flight Test Engineer Course, earning an additional Master of Science degree in Flight Test Engineering.

Fourteen years later, with her appointment in 2020, Colonel Pabon made history as the first female and only the second non-pilot rated Commandant of TPS since the school began in 1944. Under her leadership, the Test Pilot School graduates approximately 48 students each year, running two classes of 24, with a new class beginning every six months. The first woman to be accepted into TPS was Captain Jane Holley, a flight test engineer, who began the program in 1974 as part of class 74B, graduating from TPS in 1975. Following Captain Holley is an ever-growing list of women, both military and civilian, who have achieved excellence and made many significant contributions to aviation and the space program. In 1988, Captain Jacquelyn Parker became the first female pilot selected to TPS, joining Class 88B and graduating in 1989. Shortly after, as part of Class 89B, Captain Eileen Collins graduated TPS and was selected to the space program where she became an astronaut and the first female to pilot the space shuttle and then the first woman to command a space shuttle mission.

The TPS Commandant’s desk has been occupied by a long list of aerospace legends including Col. Chuck Yaeger, Col. Buzz Aldrin, the grandson of the great Jimmy Doolittle - Col. James H. Doolittle III, and Col. George Ka’iliwai - the first flight test engineer and non-rated Commandant of TPS. Adding her name to that distinguished list, there is no doubt that Col. Pabon will continue the long legacy of leadership and mentorship in shaping the next generation of flight test professionals.

During our conversation, I asked Col. Pabon how she did it, how has she accomplished so much in her life, and how does she hold it all together? She answered, “Keep challenging yourself, do the best job you can in the moment and keep doing what you enjoy. Be confident and competent and your peers will respect you and the skills you bring to the team. And have fun!”

Recently, I found a video online and watched the change of command ceremony where Col. Pabon took command of TPS. One of the first things she did was give a heartfelt thanks to her mom and dad. I am sure they are very proud parents. They raised a wonderful, strong daughter and a fine Air Force officer who demonstrates daily that knowledge is power! TPS is in good hands!