Photos: Test pilots

Air Force Capt. Nicholas “Hammer” Helms, right, walks with his flight instructor, Maj. James “Gump” Marcolesco, to their T-38 trainer jet at Edwards Air Force Base.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Air Force Capt. Nicholas “Hammer” Helms marks the windshield of a T-38 that he will pilot on a training run at Edwards Air Force Base. The hope is that, after he graduates from the test pilot school, Helms will be able to lean on his airborne experiences to help shape how drones are built and flown.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Air Force Capt. Nicholas “Hammer” Helms, right, taxis for a one-hour training flight in a T-38 jet with his flight instructor, Maj. James “Gump” Marcolesco, in the rear seat. Helm was an F-16 pilot before being reassigned to fly Reaper drones by remote control. He later applied for the first drone spot at Edward Air Force Base’s famed test pilot school.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Air Force Capt. Nicholas “Hammer” Helms, left, discusses his training flight with Maj. James “Gump” Marcolesco. “Flying is always fun,” he said, grinning. “That’s something that will never get old.”  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Air Force Capt. Nicholas “Hammer” Helms, left, at the controls of a flight simulator. When he begins testing drones, he won’t be risking his life to push the limits of what aircraft can do.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The entrance to the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base. “I think every Air Force pilot wants to be at Edwards at some point in their career,” Capt. Nicholas Helms said. “It is enthralling to be in the world’s premier test pilot school.”  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)