First F-35 multi-flight day - Flight #14 and #15

honkhntr · by **honkhntr** » 27 Apr 2007, 22:22

I caught the F-35 yesterday (April 26th, 2007). Got real lucky as it ended up going up twice!!!

honk

Raptor_claw · by **Raptor_claw** » 27 Apr 2007, 23:16

honkhntr wrote:Caught the F-35 yesterday... Got real lucky it ended up going up twice!!!

FYI (for those of you counting along at home)....

These were Flights 15 and 16, both flown by Jeff Knowles.

Jon was back in the cockpit for Flight 17 on April 27.

idesof · by **idesof** » 27 Apr 2007, 23:34

Very nice! Anyone know why the ground clearance is so high? A pilot would kill him/herself if she were try to get out of that cockpit without a ladder. Does it have anything to do with the jetflow requirements of the V/STOL version?

VPRGUY · by **VPRGUY** » 27 Apr 2007, 23:38

idesof wrote:Very nice! Anyone know why the ground clearance is so high? A pilot would kill him/herself if she were try to get out of that cockpit without a ladder. Does it have anything to do with the jetflow requirements of the V/STOL version?

ehhh, from the looks of it, if it is much higher than an F-16 it is only by a matter of inches. If the pilot is worried about it, he may be able to skirt back on the nose to the wing (like I've seen done *cough cough* on an F-16), and slide down/dangle his legs/hang on with his hands/drop to the ground.

Happy_Gilmore · by **Happy_Gilmore** » 28 Apr 2007, 00:09

Lockheed doesn't use boarding ladders, they use maintenance stands, all other F-35's other than AA-1 have a really cool built in boarding ladder system. In an emergency they just jump over the side, it's actually practiced and timed.

That_Engine_Guy · by **That_Engine_Guy** » 28 Apr 2007, 02:48

Anyone have closeups of that Edwards jet? (Esp the nozzle?) I've heard rumor of a -229 powered "B". May be the only thing able to keep up with a F-35...

Would be a hot Viper to pilot in any case...

Happy_Gilmore · by **Happy_Gilmore** » 28 Apr 2007, 03:08

It's not -229 powered, it's a -220 (It was going to be a Pakistani Viper at one time), the LM Viper with the logo on the tail in a block 50 with a GE132.
P.S. GREAT pictures and thanks.

Scorpion1alpha · by **Scorpion1alpha** » 28 Apr 2007, 03:21

Hey Happy, good to see you're still around.

Happy_Gilmore · by **Happy_Gilmore** » 28 Apr 2007, 03:29

Hey Scorpion, I've been kind of hanging low and you know why, I still pipe in now and then and from time to time (from home) to help out, LOL.
Life is good at LM brutha, STOVL is coming up fast.

Scorpion1alpha · by **Scorpion1alpha** » 28 Apr 2007, 03:38

Yeah, know what you mean bro. Stop by more often if you can and make the babies look good! You guys are doing a heck of a job!

Happy_Gilmore · by **Happy_Gilmore** » 28 Apr 2007, 03:44

Thanks bro, it's a great gig to say the least from an old USAF F-4/F-16 Crew Chief, I'm living the dream dude.

dwightlooi · by **dwightlooi** » 28 Apr 2007, 08:26

idesof wrote:Very nice! Anyone know why the ground clearance is so high? A pilot would kill him/herself if she were try to get out of that cockpit without a ladder. Does it have anything to do with the jetflow requirements of the V/STOL version?

It may have something to do with:-

(1) Suspension travel desired for the CV version.
(2) The clearance needed for the pivoting nozzle and its doors on the STOVL version.
(3) Clearance needed to maneuver bulky 2000 lbs class stores and their handling trolleys under the fuselage and weapon bay doors so they may be loaded.

Or, all of the above.

honkhntr · by **honkhntr** » 28 Apr 2007, 15:14

Does the F-35 use a standard center control stick, or a Side Stick set-up like the F-16?

Honk

idesof · by **idesof** » 28 Apr 2007, 16:25

dwightlooi wrote:
idesof wrote:Very nice! Anyone know why the ground clearance is so high? A pilot would kill him/herself if she were try to get out of that cockpit without a ladder. Does it have anything to do with the jetflow requirements of the V/STOL version?

It may have something to do with:-

(1) Suspension travel desired for the CV version.
(2) The clearance needed for the pivoting nozzle and its doors on the STOVL version.
(3) Clearance needed to maneuver bulky 2000 lbs class stores and their handling trolleys under the fuselage and weapon bay doors so they may be loaded.

Or, all of the above.

All of them good points, with No. 2 perhaps being the most important. I must say that the F-35 is one ungainly looking creature on the ground, and not terribly attractive except for certain angles in the air. I honestly think that's one of the primary (subconscious) reasons why so many are not fond of the F-35: considering that it is replacing what many feel is the most beautiful fighter aircraft ever fielded (F-16, of course), the F-35 is a huge letdown in aesthetic terms. So much for looks right, flies right...

asiatrails · by **asiatrails** » 29 Apr 2007, 00:36

All of them good points. I honestly think that if you consider F-35 pugly, think about standing next to the Mc Dac alternative at an air show!! That was one FUGLY airframe, it would make a French Bomber designer weep with pain!!

I think the F-35 will grow on people just like the F-8 or the A-7