Pilot's Interview – Matthew Hartkop – from US Navy to Pilatus

June 9, 2020 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764101347029-216

Team Leader of Experimental Flight Tests Department at Pilatus Shares Insights on Flying Experience and Favorite Aircraft

Matthew ‘Fish’ Hartkop, team leader of experimental flight tests department at Pilatus, shared his insights on flying experience and favorite aircraft. Hartkop flew over 90 different aircraft in his career, including the F/A-18 Super Hornet and PC-21. He worked as a flight instructor and squadron pilot in Switzerland under a two-year exchange programme. The PC-21 is an outstanding trainer, allowing pilots to transfer direct to a jet after training on it. Pilatus’ focus on flexibility and customer experience may be strengthened by Hartkop’s diverse background.

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Key Takeaways

Matthew ‘Fish’ Hartkop is team leader of the experimental flight tests department.
He has flown over 90 different aircraft in his career.
Hartkop flew for the US Navy, including on an aircraft carrier.
He worked as a flight instructor and squadron pilot in Switzerland under a two-year exchange programme.
The PC-21 is an outstanding trainer: pilots can transfer direct to a jet after training on it.

Pilatus

Strategic Implications

This interview may indicate Pilatus’ focus on attracting experienced pilots with diverse backgrounds. The variety of aircraft Hartkop has flown suggests flexibility in the company’s operations, which could be beneficial for customers seeking tailored test flights.