Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 18:11will it fly today or not?
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Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 18:11Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 18:17Fog has lifted but now the FAA has to clear the commericial backlog. Looks like after noon CST.
Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 19:05Pilot is in the cockpit going over the checklist. Ladder has been moved away. It will happen within the hour.
Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 19:13Canopy is closed
Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 19:15Engine on
Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 19:48Up, up and Away!
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::Photos added by moderator::
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::
Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 19:49She's up at 12:44 CST!! Yay!
Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 19:53It's up and beautiful. I will be posting pics in just a second at: http://www.accuconference.com/f35.html
Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 20:02She had a hell of a roar to her when she took off. It was awesome baby!
Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 20:18dmackenzie1,
You have an awesome photo perch!!
Best Regards,
You have an awesome photo perch!!
Best Regards,
Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 20:21Whoot!! Nice Job Fellows 
Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 20:23She 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!!
Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 20:29So it was complete not cut short? That's a relief...
Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 21:07First flight / soaking is complete!! whohaa!!! Bloody Marvelous!!! 
Posted: 15 Dec 2006, 21:18Smithsguy 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.