Maj. Mike Sadlowski performs pre-flight checks before taking off Wednesday, March 15, 2006, at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.(U.S. Air Force photo)
Posted on 03/17/2006 3:56:57 PM PST by SandRat
3/17/2006 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) -- Hundreds of physical and mental training hours go into being a part of one of the most advanced careers in the world -- an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot.
The F-16’s multiple missions, such as air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, make it one of the most versatile aircraft in the Air Force, said Capt. Charlie Wolfsandle, 55th Fighter Squadron assistant training officer.
To be selected to fly the F-16, an individual has to pass a battery of physical and mental tests. Pilots are selected for training when they receive a commission and are then sent to initial pilot training. Those selected to fly the F-16 during initial training are then sent to Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., for F-16 training, said Maj. Mike Sadlowski, 55th FS B-Flight commander.
Pilots must be in good physical condition to handle the stresses the F-16 puts on a body when flying, Major Sadlowski said.
"The F-16 can pull (nine times the force of gravity) which is more than any other aircraft in the Air Force," Major Sadlowski said.
When a pilot pulls positive Gs, blood is pulled to the feet. When pulling negative Gs, blood is sent to the head, Major Sadlowski said.
Because of the gravity changes, any movement a pilot makes is magnified and causes the pilot to put more effort into any activity he or she performs, Captain Wolfsandle said.
Besides the physical challenges, there is a lot of mental work required of a pilot before taking off, the major said.
Flight preparation begins a day before the flight. A pilot has to consider the number of jets flying, the route the pilot will be taking, the configuration of the jet for the mission and what the potential weather will be, he said.
When the pilots report for their flight they have more pre-flight briefings and inspect the aircraft, he said.
"There is really around six to seven hours of prep time for a one-to-two hour flight," Major Sadlowski said.
The most difficult mental challenge is paying close attention to the details.
"With such an advanced weapons system, a pilot always has to be looking in the books to keep up to date with the latest systems," Major Sadlowski said.
A pilot must be ready to learn new things and adapt to new surroundings, Captain Wolfsandle said.
Paying attention to the small details and keeping up to date with new knowledge allows pilots to survive when something goes wrong. Since the F-16 is a single-engine jet, pilots have to know what do when a malfunction occurs because of how fast things will happen in the air, the captain said.
"Since the start of training, you begin to memorize the emergency checklists, and if you forget they won't let you fly," Captain Wolfsandle said.
Both pilots agree that even with all their training and prep work, they cannot accomplish their mission without everyone's support on the base.
"Every Airman on this base is doing something to support us. Without them we wouldn't even be able to get the jet up in the air," Captain Wolfsandle said.
Maj. Mike Sadlowski performs pre-flight checks before taking off Wednesday, March 15, 2006, at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.F-16 ZOOOOOOOMM!!!!
Picture PING!!!
Sadlowski knows this isnt necessarily true, but outside of an airshow or really fun 1v1, 9G is not going to be used often. However, it is hard to explain that the F-16 G ONSET is faster than in any other jet. In the F-16 you can go from 1G to 9G in a little over a second. GLOC was never that big a deal until the F-16 because in other jets you dont load the G so rapidly.
He did say AirForce so I wont talk about Navy jets, but I would guess an Eagle without the G-limiter could pull 9G, but might stress the airframe.
that's the 30mm gun pod... 
The engine fell off!
LOL!!!
Pukin, did you notice the guy's helmet? Joint Helmet Mounted Cuing System. Who needs nine G's when all you have to do is look over your shoulder and stick the guy with a 9X.
BTTT
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