Posted on 07/29/2016 6:20:24 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Never saw them fly the F-4. That would have been a hoot, hard to imagine that big honker doing what they do. The little A-4 was not much fun for sound and spectacle, but they sure could fly tight and close.
The F-111 had a tail hook. The F-15 has a tail hook. The F-16 has a tail hook. The F-22 has a tail hook. All versions of the F-35A has a tail hook.
The difference is that the USAF tail hooks are not rated for carrier arrested landings (nor is the landing gear for that matter) but is used only for emergency runway overrun protection.
Next step would be to see if the majority were closer to the beginning, of the BA than today. Flight safety is better today than yesterday in theory, and then one would look at aircraft type to see if there was a particular type with a greater fatality rate than other types. Crewmember age and experience would be another factor as would weather. I would agree with you that in today’s world even based on the flight demonstration team concept, ten percent fatality rate is UNACCEPTABLE which is why I would try to narrow down contributing factors that might show improvement over the years.
Just a quick look 1980 to 2016 36 years five killed and if the numbers are right 1946 to 1980 remainder would be 37 killed over a 34 year period, considerably better stats for the later period without looking at other factors.
This is supposed to be a good thing? the Superbug has a worse thrust to weight ration than the original Hornet.
Interesting, and thanks for the further analysis.
One year a couple of us were atop a hill, resting from our campaign chores, stuffing mailboxes, and the Blue Angels flew over.
I waved LIKE MAD and one of them gave us a "wing wag."
Made my day year.
Makes me SO PROUD to be an American!
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