Pilot Careers
I Get Paid for This…
Thomas van Marwick Flying for science – DLR pilot Thomas van Marwick conducts research missions all over the world. Interview by Yayeri van Baarsen
How did you get into flying?
I’ve been keen on aviation all my life and after school I joined the German Airforce for a 12-year duty cycle. During that time, I got my officer’s training, an aeronautical engineering degree, and as an IT trainer for personnel worked mainly with the Tornado and Eurofighter software. Following that, I decided to put my theoretical knowledge into practice and started my pilot training. Tell us about your job?
I’m a pilot for the DLR’s Flight Experiments Facility in Oberpfaffenhofen, flying the Flying CV Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, Dornier Pilot for the Department of Flight 228-212, and Falcon 20E for atmospheric Experiments at the German Aerospace research and remote sensing. We support Centre Oberpfaffenhofen, Thomas van customers with planning, execution and Marwick flies atmospheric research and post-processing of scientific research flights. remote sensing missions. My work has taken me all over Europe, as Started current job: 2013 Now flying: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, well as to remote places like Northern Dornier 228-212, Falcon 20E Canada, Greenland, Iceland and Gabon. Favourite aircraft: F-4 Phantom – I loved its Flying for science means collecting data with design when I was a child. I’d love to fly one! our highly modified aircraft. The focus is Hours at job start: Approx. 300 Hours now: Approx. 2,500 really diverse, some scientists want to fly very low to get samples of the composition of the aerosols inside the boundary layer, while others need to fly at high altitudes to get a good image of the even open the huge hangar doors because of the 40kt wind surface of the Earth with radar and optical sensors. Some even gusts… Since Icelandic weather isn’t our everyday business, we need to enter the lower stratosphere with our jets. In one flight the were happy they took the decision for us. The task was to depart main task might be the accuracy of the flight trajectory (especially immediately to catch up underneath a satellite between Iceland for the radar sensing missions where we fly in an approximate and Greenland. Just in time, the wind calmed down. We hit the corridor of +/-2 meters with our Dornier), in the next sortie data rendezvous point and reached north-eastern Greenland with the may be found while analysing aircraft emissions at close distance. sun setting behind the glaciers – a wonderful picture. On the way Sometimes timing is a key factor, for example when flying below back, we experienced a cabin pressure alert at FL390. We had to satellite tracks for instrument validation. react quickly and initiated an emergency descent. While What I like most about my job is that I get to fly DLR’s aircraft descending, cabin pressure stabilised in acceptable limits so we in a non-standard environment. The mission always varies and continued, and the scientists could finish collecting their data. every sortie has to be especially coordinated with aviation authorities around the world – every flight is truly unique. And your favourite airfield? Kulusuk, a gravel strip in East Greenland, located near the shore, What training did you have? between icebergs and the incomparable wideness of beautiful A frozen ATPL combined with an engineering degree enabled Greenland. I went there with our Dornier 228 in 2015. me to start my career with DLR in 2013, as a pilot for the department of Flight Experiments. My on-the-job training began Do you get to fly much outside work? with simulator sessions and a lot of flying our Dornier 228. Yes, I really enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for flying, so I’m a flight Advancing in the company, I’ve had the opportunity to gather instructor and regularly take family and friends in our local flying experience in aerobatics, upset recovery, in a variety of CRM and club aircraft. For me, flying is more than just a profession. Flight Test Techniques factors, and as a flight instructor.
“The mission always varies – every flight is truly unique”
A sortie out of Keflavik (Iceland) with our Falcon 20 in 2019. During flight preparation, ground staff were uncertain if they’d 18 | FLYER | April 2021
What’s your most valuable career advice?
Don’t take yourself too seriously, be modest and do your best. Accept that there’s always somebody who has more experience. Aspire to perfection, but always accept good advice.
Photos: DLR
What’s been your favourite flight?
