happy mens!

Yikes mission – very cool video.

And that hard pull up screaming down the runway? Ouch! Looks dangerous. If he pulled too hard – an "accelerated stall". Guess that’s why their the pro’s.
　

AC
 
Ali Cat said:
Yikes mission – very cool video.

And that hard pull up screaming down the runway? Ouch! Looks dangerous. If he pulled too hard – an "accelerated stall". Guess that’s why their the pro’s.

AC
Click to expand...

In a combat turn (as seen in the video) the Hornet is capable of up to 16G without stalling or breaking apart. The Superhornet can do even more. In a tight turning fight (or friendly demo session) the Hornets have a 'G-override' button on the panel which allows the pilot to exceed the "governed" maximum G for humans built into the computerized flight controls. A gifted pilot with a high G capacity can actually pull something higher than the average jocks.
 
Educate me Bearcat,

Are you saying it’s not possible to pull an accelerated to stall in the Hornet? Or is it that, in this case – so close to the ground – it does not matter because it’s nearly a rocket?
　

I have a story here. I have mentioned Gail Coffman and Joe Giltner before. Gail taught me to fly but as it turned out Joe gave me that check ride for my pilots license (gliders). Now Gail was a tough one though he was revered by us all. Looking back on it he pushed me, before solo, into what I now see as clearly aerobatics maneuvers. Gail’s version of the "aggravated stall" was to pull up to very near vertical. One moment there was all sky and then boom, nothing but ground. I actually got quite good at these. Anyway, by the time I took that check ride I was at that time a bit rusty. Joe called for "OK – now an aggravated stall" (I think now he was probably looking for only a 30 or 40 degree pull up). Well now I was cocky (they said I was good) so after picking up some speed I yanked her up dead vertical. Then that instant when the wings fall off – or that is what it feels like (stall big time). All was well but then I horsed the recovery and boom, the wings seemed to fall off again. Now we’re into milliseconds. I did not know what was happening. And Joe from the back, flat and factual – "I’ve got it" (not a complement). He recovered and he was chuckling (can you say ice water in his veins). "You know what you just did?". Every fuse in my nervous system was now blown. Then Joe … "aggravated stall – let’s try that again".


The red line on the 2-22 is 90 knots or so. I have to think we pushed it that day. And parachutes – no. It was not an option. But I was young and I had Gail and Joe on my shoulder and I could do no wrong – save for this fantastic boner. And yes, I did pass that day.
　

A bit off your thread Mission,
AC
 
Ali Cat said:
Are you saying it’s not possible to pull an accelerated to stall in the Hornet? Or is it that, in this case – so close to the ground – it does not matter because it’s nearly a rocket?AC
Click to expand...

At a slower speed possibly...

Computerized flight controls and fly-by-wire tech greatly minimize these problems in 4th gen fighters. Its all in the Hornet's design - the general airframe shape and the smart input technology. The twin vertical fins are canted outward for greater turning stability and yaw control. And there are no conventional elevators in the tail. Each horizontal stabilizer moves as a whole part but independently of one another in conjunction with the ailerons - all computer-controlled - unlike conventional designs. If you roll the plane, the stabilizers - for example - will move with the wing ailerons, one tilted up and the other in a down position. Net result is you get an aileron boost with a cat-quick roll rate and faster recovery from the maneuver. In a looping immelman or cuban 8 the twisting stabilizers enhance both the maneuvers and the recovery. Add a high velocity combat turn to that and you have the right recipe for pulling sustained max G at any altitude, even a few feet off the deck.

I boned up on the Hornets back in my Jane's F/A18E Superhornet days. A real keeper..still flying the sim to this day. :medals:
 
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