F-35: A Test Pilot's Perspective

摘要

Hattendorf was originally brought into Lockeed Martin to fly the F-16 and believes that the Block 60 aircraft, the development of which was funded by the UAE for the United Arab Emirati Air Force is the most capable F-16 ever built. "I helped build the qualification for that aircraft for seven years before transitioning over to the F-35 but I maintain the qualification for the F-16," he said. Hattendorf was now flown the F-35 for over four years, three of which were spent at Edwards AFB conducting flight tests. He said that the flying was intense and included the high alpha, or angle-of-attack tests; manoeuvres that are associated with this 5th Generation aircraft. Testing also focused on carrying around 85 percent of the payloads for the aircraft. By the time he left the team were almost done with the flight sciences of the aircraft although testing continued around high sink rate landings and the remainder of loads testing. Mission systems remains a work-in-progress.