Posted on 08/03/2006 7:06:12 PM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
July 25, 2006 (by Mike Kopack) - An F-16CJ pilot ejected from his aircraft over the Atlantic Ocean Apr. 5, 2006 after experiencing a Gravity-Induced Loss of Consciousness and awaking to find his aircraft in an unrecoverable dive, according to an Air Combat Command report released two weeks ago.
The pilot suffered serious injuries during the high-speed ejection, which took place while the aircraft was traveling in excess of 750 miles per hour. The aircraft (#93-542), assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw AFB, S.C., crashed into the ocean approximately 80 miles northeast of Charleston, S.C., and was destroyed. The cost of the aircraft loss is estimated at nearly $23 million.
At the time of the incident the pilot was performing a high-gravity maneuver during a Basic Fighter Maneuver training mission. The investigating officer concluded there was substantial evidence that physical fatigue from flying five high-G sorties in three days, an extended layoff from flying and the mental stress associated with his instructor pilot upgrade training were contributing factors to the pilot's loss of consciousness.
For more information, call the Air Combat Command Public Affairs office at (757) 764-5007 or e-mail acc.pam@langley.af.mil.
Thank goodness he survived, his life is worth more than that aircraft.
Gravity hardly ever causes loss of conciousness. That would be inertia.
Gravity is the attractive force between two masses:
F = (G * M1 * M2) / ( d ^2)
Which masses were involved in this pilot losing conciousness?
I'm surprised that he survived ejecting at over 750 MPH.
In all probability, serious injuries mean he won't fly again.
Yes, due to the inertia of the mass of blood which attempted to continue in a straight line instead of being accelerated along a curved line.
Sounds to me like he was pushed to press the envelope. Why?
So the ACC has fighters now? The SEC's gonna be pissed.
I'd hate to punch out at 750 knots. But then, I'd hate to punch out at all. GLOC nabs the best of us. Looking over your shoulder at 9 g's is never good for your health. I can't say I miss that part of flying the Viper. And in the last year since I ended 15 years of continuous flying I've grown a full inch. Scary. I turn 40 this year and measure 6'7" for the first time in my life. I'm pretty sure I'm done with puberty. I guess my spinal cord is finally starting to recover.
"So the ACC has fighters now? The SEC's gonna be pissed."
...and the Big East will try to sue them again.
"No, that would be gravity. Inertia is static, Gravity is dynamic."
You misunderstand inertia. Inertia is when a mass resists changes in velocity (speed and direction). That doesn't mean it is only a static property, nor does it mean that it doesn't come into play in a dynamic system.
Now, I don't know about the efficacy of those reasons, but I wish they would have just answered like you did. Essentially: "It happens, get over it."
I thought you invest in SD real estate, you mean you do physics and drink bear too?
all at the same time?
somethin' gotta give..
Lurking'
The only thing that kept me from flying a sortie was the runs. Especially during an upgrade. And especially if it was an air to air sortie. But then, I'd always be a little more "gentle" if I wasn't feeling well. Funny thing was, as soon as the canopy went down I usually forgot all about not feeling well.
Just glad I never GLOC'd.
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