F-35 first flight

I wonder if there will be an interview done with the pilot?? I would love to hear his first hand account of the flight and the way the aircraft "actually" performed. He is now the man that all aviation lovers are jealous of!! Congrats again to all involved!

It doesn't look like the pilot was flying with the HMD, and you can clearly tell the airplane doesn't have a HUD either. Am I wrong? Is the HMD ready?

That is indeed interesting. Could there be a camera on the jet somewhere that could feed a gizmo that then puts of a pseudo-HUD display on one of the heads-down screens? Or maybe he just flew it the old-fashioned way, with just the regular flight instruments (albeit displayed on a flat screen)?

Finally found someone reporting why the flight was cut short.

http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5822296

"He [test pilot Jon Beesley] said one of two air data sensors was not operating properly. Although it did not pose a danger, the procedure called for ending the flight at that time, preventing completion of the remaining few tests, including raising the landing gear, officials said."

Seems like pretty normal stuff for early in a flight test program.

The takeoff and landing certainly looked solid. I was also struck by how clean the F135 burned than the chase Viper's engine (P&W F100?). The size differences in the two aircraft was also worth nothing. I'm looking forward to seeing photos of the aircraft with the gear up.

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Absolutely an amazing sight to see. The Eagle definately flies high and proud!

Despite the air data sensor problem, in my eyes, still a successful flight.

Fist flight cut short????

Good job to LM even though there were some minor glitches. Will someone bless this post with a video link once it is made public? Thanks.

On behalf of my section, I'd like to offer my congratulations on the 1st flight of the F-35 Lightning II. It sure looks beautiful in the air.

The 2nd half of air dominance has begun.

Everything has some unforseen rough spots. It's a matter of going in a fiddling with numbers in the software probably. I don't work in design but the digitized flight control systems of todya probably mean tweaks to flight controls are a little easier.

Considering the complexity of systems involved, I am very impressed. Alot of new systems involved here. New avionics, new flight control systems, new engine and nozzle type, etc. To have only a minor air data problem is a true testament to this machine and the people who brought it to fruition. Congratulations are indeed justified to everyone involved!!! I know I would be proud to be involved. I'm F-16 through and through. Its been an honest priviledge to work on her. I envy the ones who will take the next step foward with the F-35. She's one awesome aircraft if you ask me.

Excellent. My congratulations to LM and everyone else involved with the program. It is better to be safe than sorry. I am sure the following many many test flights will go well. I cannot even to begin to understand what is involved with developing and testing a plane that finally will enter active service. We may criticize or praise all we like but in the end it is the guy in the cockpit taking the risks. Seeing the photos of the first flight makes me wish I was an air force pilot and would get to fly this awesome aircraft. Good luck with the future development.

Video of the flight and a pilot interview
http://cbs11tv.com/local/local_story_349135932.html

• Interview with the pilot, Jon Beesley: http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=14919@ktvt.dayport.com
• Video of the tests: http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=14919@ktvt.dayport.com

Video of the flight and a pilot interview
http://cbs11tv.com/local/local_story_349135932.html

• Interview with the pilot, Jon Beesley: http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=14919@ktvt.dayport.com
• Video of the tests: http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=14919@ktvt.dayport.com

Love the four ship of Blue Angel F-35's over Jon's shoulder in the interview. Very nice.

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Found a better article on the sensor issue and overall first flight. As has been described here

http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/20 ... st+flight+–+short+but.html

Test pilot Jon Beesley stated "It flies like a smaller and quicker Raptor”, which is a saying a LOT. And Beesley would know, he was previously the first flight pilot of the F-117 and F-22).

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Congratulations to the F-35 Lightning II and its first flight!!

Too bad I missed the webcast, I will have to wait for a downloadable video link...