Between 2001 and 2003, Sophie studied engineering and graduated from ISAE-SUPAERO in Toulouse, France, where she specialised in spacecraft and aircraft flight dynamics. She then completed a Master of Science in human factors engineering at MIT – Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, USA, in 2004. In 2005, Sophie joined the French Air Force for her basic military training and initial flying training to become a helicopter pilot.   In 2018, she graduated with honours as a helicopter test pilot from the Empire Test Pilots’ School in Boscombe Down, UK. She was awarded the Mac Kenna trophy and the Patuxtent Shield. Between 2019 and 2022, Sophie worked as a helicopter experimental test pilot in Cazaux Flight Test Center with DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement – the French Defence Procurement Agency). She has logged 3000 hours and flew on 22 different helicopter types. She also holds a military parachute license, a light aircraft pilot license and a glider pilot license.