F-35 first flight

Dustpanandbrush · by **Dustpanandbrush** » 15 Dec 2006, 18:11

will it fly today or not?

Smithsguy · by **Smithsguy** » 15 Dec 2006, 18:17

Fog has lifted but now the FAA has to clear the commericial backlog. Looks like after noon CST.

msupepper · by **msupepper** » 15 Dec 2006, 19:05

Pilot is in the cockpit going over the checklist. Ladder has been moved away. It will happen within the hour.

msupepper · by **msupepper** » 15 Dec 2006, 19:13

Canopy is closed

msupepper · by **msupepper** » 15 Dec 2006, 19:15

Engine on

Lightndattic · by **Lightndattic** » 15 Dec 2006, 19:48

Up, up and Away!

G3 Image not found

The first F-35 Lightning II flew for the first time on Friday, Dec. 15. The plane is shown climbing out shortly after takeoff from Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. [LMTAS Photo by Tom Harvey]

::Photos added by moderator::

JoeSambor · by **JoeSambor** » 15 Dec 2006, 19:49

She's up at 12:44 CST!! Yay!

dmackenzie1 · by **dmackenzie1** » 15 Dec 2006, 19:53

It's up and beautiful. I will be posting pics in just a second at: http://www.accuconference.com/f35.html

mcashe · by **mcashe** » 15 Dec 2006, 20:02

She had a hell of a roar to her when she took off. It was awesome baby!

JoeSambor · by **JoeSambor** » 15 Dec 2006, 20:18

dmackenzie1,

You have an awesome photo perch!!

Best Regards,

navav2002 · by **navav2002** » 15 Dec 2006, 20:21

Whoot!! Nice Job Fellows :cheers:

JoeSambor · by **JoeSambor** » 15 Dec 2006, 20:23

She has landed, after only 35 minutes! Jon ran the test cards quickly...and I bet there are a lot of people at Lockheed who are breathing a lot easier now!!

Smithsguy · by **Smithsguy** » 15 Dec 2006, 20:29

So it was complete not cut short? That's a relief...

JanHas · by **JanHas** » 15 Dec 2006, 21:07

First flight / soaking is complete!! whohaa!!! Bloody Marvelous!!! :notworthy:

idesof · by **idesof** » 15 Dec 2006, 21:18

Smithsguy wrote:So it was complete not cut short? That's a relief...

The press is already spinning it as a failure, saying that the jet landed "early," 35-min. into a planned hour-long flight, with LM not providing any explanations for the change in plans.