some questions only for pilots(real,not keyboard pilots)

[Last Hope]

I must say, great idea about the thread, but sir 'Chogy' isn't this data supposed to stay inside? These facts and information, are they allowed to be passed to civilians and defence geeks?
Just out of curiosity I was asking. Thanks for the info anyways.

 

[Azatavrear]

^^^ Chogy knows what his doing.....he is not reveiling any sensitive information that I can see.

We should consider ourselves lucky that he takes the time to inform us.

"with your permission JD" let me ruin your thread

That is a great pic, both hands can be seen, i never saw a wide pic like this, see how comfortably he is sitting, due to side stick. I always feel that center stick drivers lean forward and are uncomfortable.

may be if the stick is really between their legs and close to nuts then I think they no need to lean forward. what do you "real" pilots say?

You shouldn't have to lean forward for center stick....plus very rarely will you input full down elevator.

I am not a military pilot (however I have worked on them) and I have never flown a side stick (which requires only small inputs due to fly by wire system) but there is nothing wrong with center stick setup on the aerobats I have flown. Most of your body movements are to clear the area and maintain good visibility. I tend to lean forward and twist my neck towards the turn and look to where the airplane would end up (something like a superbike rider going around the corner looking at the exit of the turn rather than looking in front of him).

As Chogy has said moving your body around during g loads is very hard and distracting and in a kicked back position like an F-16 makes it even harder which makes sense now that I think about it. Interesting that this sitting position has no positive effect on g load effects on pilots.

 

[Hulk]

It's really quite easy... the rudder pedals (on the ground) are tied into both the rudders AND the nose-wheel. When you kick full rudder on the ground, you get about 10 to 15 degrees of nose-wheel steering. Harder ground turns are done with a device called the "tiller" which is like a tiny steering wheel in the side-wall of the cockpit.

The tiller is used to align the jet with the runway centerline, and it is then allowed to roll a few feet be be sure the nose wheel is not cocked. Power up, you roll nice and straight, and the tiller is never used on take-off.

On TO roll, you then steer with your feet, and unless there is a truly vicious cross-wind, no more thought is required than an experienced driver in a car on a modern road. It's almost automatic.

Thanks for reply, can someone break it for civil people with no idea on planes. I might be asking for too much.

 

[John Doe]

Thanks for reply, can someone break it for civil people with no idea on planes. I might be asking for too much.

Well, Chogy is a full time pilot so he might not be able to explain things in great detail.
But since your prev. question, I googled a bit and found this helpful:
http://flighttraining.aopa.org/students/presolo/skills/normaltakeoff.html

 

[ynmian]

I agree Azatavrear

we should be thankful that he "Chogy" writes paragraphs to explain us. He is an active pilot and a very busy man.

another thing, center stick modern planes, all are fly by wire too, but their stick moves ...right? unless u r flying t-38 or old trainer or aerobatic plane which is not fly-by-wire.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

yes Chogy is our good friend.....

I just wonder how a nimble, formidable fighter like the F15 compares to operating a big bus with wings!

 

[Azatavrear]

I agree Azatavrear

we should be thankful that he "Chogy" writes paragraphs to explain us. He is an active pilot and a very busy man.

another thing, center stick modern planes, all are fly by wire too, but their stick moves ...right? unless u r flying t-38 or old trainer or aerobatic plane which is not fly-by-wire.

Yes, I think it is safe to say that all modern fighter aircraft regardless of the control stick location have FBW flight control system....they have to, because they design the aircraft completely unstable on purpose for better manouverability, run by a flight control computer and the pilot's request (stick movement)

I was refering to the old humble fly by cables and pulleys....not even hydraulics.

BTW, these little babies are also built with a little negative stability but in a good way (flyable), however you let go of that stick even in straight and level flight and you be in for a big suprise wondering which direction you just entered a spin.

A good example:

Bellanca 8KCAB Super Decathlon

 

[graphican]

Okay I have few crazy questions..

What do you guys do when during flight or during a mission you feel like using washroom.. I mean taking a leak or using toilet ? Also Can you drink water or anything during flight with all those gas-masks on?

+ Does it go hot inside the canopy if you pull 8Gs? What do you do if it does?
+ Like with old cars, do you feel air peeping through minor slits of canopy?
+ Does burning of fuel few meters behind you stink in canopy?
+ With all those thick cloths on.. what you do if you feel itchy?
+ When tired of sitting.. can you stand inside a cockpit during flight?
+ What do you do if you don't feel like flying anymore and are still few hundred kilometers from the runway? I mean other than thinking to crash!
+ Can you smoke during flight?
+ What will happen to a frog if it is placed inside the canopy? Would it die of suffocation?
+ Have you ever noticed UFOs?
+ Do you feel like driving cars fast after you get out of F-16s or JFTs?
+ Do you try to violate your flying routes to tell your mama that you are in-flight and fly above your home?
+ Can you listen public Radio during the flight?

 

[John Doe]

Your 1st Question has already been answered earlier. Some of ur other Q.'s are gems! Hope they get answered!

 

[Chogy]

thanks chogy...still that answer is pending that whether the centerstick pilot has to lean forward to grab the stick or it is nicely accessible (close to where legs meet, nuts i mean ) because center stick MOVES significantly and in order to move stick full forward, may be the pilot has to lean more.....just my thought....but u r the best to answer

I appreciate the kind comments. It's fun to re-live this stuff.

The center stick is (can be) ergonomically located, and the guys that design these jets have specialists that do nothing but human factors engineering in cockpit and control layout. To try a center stick grasp, simply sit back in your chair, and place your right hand, almost contacting your right thigh, about 16 cm in front of your... stuff.

It is comfortable, and the control throw is not huge. Stick throw forward is possible without having to move forward, and besides, full DOWN is hardly ever done.

Side stick works well also. The original F-16 stick was 100% frozen in place and used force sensors. Pilots hated it, and it was replaced with one that has a small movement.

Does it go hot inside the canopy if you pull 8Gs? What do you do if it does?

I don't understand - temperature? The interior temperature is independent of G. At 8G, all you are concerned about is remaining conscious and aware of the fight around you!

+ Like with old cars, do you feel air peeping through minor slits of canopy?
+ Does burning of fuel few meters behind you stink in canopy?
+ With all those thick cloths on.. what you do if you feel itchy?
+ When tired of sitting.. can you stand inside a cockpit during flight?

The canopy is totally sealed. It must be so for pressurization. There is zero airflow from the outside, since the inside is at positive pressure.

There is no exhaust smell at all unless you are on the ground and parked behind another running jet. All cockpit air comes from the compressor stage of the engines.

You are too busy to feel itchy. It is a hot, sweaty environment and can be claustrophobic until you get used to it. And there is no room to stand, not even close. Ocean crossings can be very nasty and uncomfortable.

+ What do you do if you don't feel like flying anymore and are still few hundred kilometers from the runway? I mean other than thinking to crash!
+ Can you smoke during flight?
+ What will happen to a frog if it is placed inside the canopy? Would it die of suffocation?
+ Have you ever noticed UFOs?

+ You fly, or die!
+ Never. At least one guy died trying to smoke. The O2 can cause an intense fire.
+ Probably not. Cabin pressure can go to maybe 15,000 to 20,000 feet max.
+ Not even once, which is sad because I'd like to.

+ Do you feel like driving cars fast after you get out of F-16s or JFTs?
+ Do you try to violate your flying routes to tell your mama that you are in-flight and fly above your home?
+ Can you listen public Radio during the flight?

+ No, I gave that up years ago.
+ Those that have and are caught are grounded and prosecuted. Flight discipline is critical. Air Forces do not tolerate that sort of behavior any more.
+ Sometimes... but you fly out of range very quickly and have to tune another station. The "radio" is really an ADF, a direction finder, that is becoming obsolete and is no longer installed on new airplanes.

 

[John Doe]

Chogy:
You are the BEST! Thank you for being so patient with our really basic questions. One of us should name our first-born after you

 

[Chogy]

No problems, I've enjoyed it.

 

[ynmian]

One more question!

I drive a Honda Accord(I know, I know, the stereotypical 'Indian in USA' car, alongwith the Camry).
It has some quirks and I am familiar with them. When I drive some other Accord, the gas pedal feels different, the steering feels different and so on, even if the cars are otherwise identical.
Does this happen with planes too? I mean, does each plane feel 'different' when you step on the gas, or change gears(the Aviation equivalent, of course)?
Do the mechanics tell you what to watch for?
Thank you.[/QUOTE

Simple example Mirage is to Honda without power steering and F-16 is to Mercedes-Benz.

Murad sb. I have different opinion, like, Honda is f16 because f-16 is light weight and low cost.

mirages are Mercedes because mirages (of f-16 era) are more expensive and heavy (like Mercedes). again u r the best judge, i am just a keyboard flyer.

 

[Trisonics]

In 2007 I took a few pilot lessons before realizing I could not afford it. My instructor had told me that a pilot has to have 3 landings at least in 90 days, if not he makes 3 landings (all touch and go) before he can fly off into his journey. Is this practiced in the airforce as well?

 

[gubbi]

I've got a few questions. We have had threads for different maneuvers and a very nice thread by Antibody about Formations

What are the advantages or disadvantages of a particular formation over others?
Who decides which formation to make and what factors go into that decision?
What is the role of each aircraft in different formations?