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Elite 1K Joined: Aug 02, 2006 Posts: 1003 Status: Offline

Jon Beesley donning HMD with visor open. Flight #10 on 04 April 2007.

Jon Beelsey ready to go for the 10th test flight, the first fligh with the Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS).

Jon Beesley getting comfortable in the highly adjustable seat; power adjustable for height (7.4"), recline (5.73 deg), pedal reach, HOTAS reach.

Flight #11 - Another afterburner take off. Note the white paint (port wing) which is used is for fuel dump testing. The fuel dump port is under the port wing and the special paint turns red/pink when exposed to fuel.

Flight #12: Jeff Knowles strapping in with HMD helmet still in ground crew hands.

Flight #16 - Nice and sleek rear quarter view.

Flight #18 - A good top profile view.

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Elite 1K Joined: Jan 31, 2004 Posts: 1561 Status: Offline

Jon Beelsey ready to go for the 10th test flight, the first fligh with the Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS).

Use the fawwwwwce, Jon. Let go! Reach out with your feelings!! Wink

And what's the deal with the odd-colored left flaperon and stab TE, anyways? Confused

Enthusiast Joined: Jul 06, 2007 Posts: 24 Status: Offline

Halo, anyone? Very Happy

But seriously, the HMDS and the cockpit certainly give you the impression that the Lightning is going to be one hell of a machine.

Nasty, I love it. Did anyone see the Lightning drivers helmet in the new Diehard movie? It looked ridiculous.

Enthusiast Joined: Sep 29, 2005 Posts: 24 Status: Offline

If you get into a turning dogfight and you have to look upwards, that does not look like it will be an easy task, seems to be a lot of helmet sticking out above the eyes.

Senior member Joined: Jul 01, 2007 Posts: 368

The white coating on the wing is to enable fuel venting spray patterns to be seen. The upper part of the HMD is out of view, by the way (see caption under Flight#11).

And now, an image of the JFS helmet on trials at Boscombe Down.....

They came from outer space doo dooo doo!

Andy

Some details about the HMDS from the current FlugRevue magazine.

- LCD with 1280 x 1024 resolution
- Magnetic sighting system (rather than optical)
- FOV probably 30° x 50°

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 20, 2005 Posts: 1035 Status: Offline

Or you could just go to the manufacturer's website and read up on it....

checksixx wrote:

Or you could just go to the manufacturer's website and read up on it....

VSI states no specific details.

The HMD looks amazing- a hell of a lot cooler than the JHMCS in use on 16s, 15s, and 18s...especially w/ a projection over 2 eyes and integrated night vision! In tech school one of my instructors told me that the F-35 had a completely new pilot gear ensemble...I'm pretty sure it's the same MBU-20/P mask, but what about the flight suit, harness (or that 5-point restraint system??) or any other equipment? Does anyone have any links or info??

Enthusiast Joined: Jan 04, 2008 Posts: 44 Status: Offline

I was just reading up on this the other day.
My question pertains to the F-35 HUD (or lack thereof). Does anyone think that not using the traditional HUD on the F-35 will come back to bite us in the future? Much like not putting a gun in the early F-4s - What if we run into some unforeseen problem that has to be addressed with a HUD?

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 20, 2005 Posts: 1035 Status: Offline

F-35 Pilot Goodies...

http://www.agilepfe.com/index.htm
http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives ... ace_05.jpg

thanks for the info, checksixx!

thanks for the info, checksixx!

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