F-35C shines in first carrier trials aboard carrier Nimitz
By Joshua Stewart, Staff writer 11:07 a.m. EST November 16, 2014
ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER NIMITZ IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN — After 10 days of sea trials here, the differences between the F-35C Lightning II and its predecessors are becoming readily apparent as the plane is launched, trapped and maneuvered topside.
Sailors who got the opportunity to work with the next generation strike fighter said the F-35C has attributes that aren't found elsewhere in the airwing. It has a smoother ride, it's easier to taxi, and it has less complicated landing procedures. In many ways, it does a lot of the heavy lifting itself and takes work away from sailors.
"It's truly an administrative task," said Cmdr. Tony Wilson, the lead test pilot for the F-35C, in an interview Nov. 13 as the 10 day testing wrapped up. Pilots and flight deck crews found the more compact plane easier to fly and maneuver aboard ship, good attributes for an aircraft that's seen many delays and is now slated for a 2018 fleet introduction.
The stealth fighter handles well and its control system cuts the pilot's workload, he said.
The most stressful task in carrier-based aviation — the landing — has been simplified with
the delta flight path, a program that partially automates the approach and adjusts the plane's trajectory just seconds before the aircraft reaches the flight deck. This system allows pilots to focus more on other aspects of flying, Wilson said.
"It's going to make landing on the boat a routine task," he said. "This makes it fun," he later added.
Compared to legacy aircraft, the F-35C has a more graceful approach, said Lt. Chris Karapostoles, a landing signal officer assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23.
Compared to the F/A-18 Super Hornet, also known in aviation circles as the Rhino, the F-35C can adjust its approach faster and smoother, making it more likely to hit the three wire — the ideal landing, Karapostoles said.
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http://www.navytimes.com/story/military ... /19019879/