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F-18 Down Low & Fast - Question for Military Pilots


Runtoeat

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This pilot looks so casual and occasionally looks back or looks around while screaming along down low.  Is he using ground following radar or is he just so experienced doing this he casually goes about it?  Notice he goes inverted to deal with high G's in the turns?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1EX_PC1Bxs&ebc=ANyPxKpn4C7BaZDUt3MMeFrTRN-hJA5-yoDRWnvCuNA-MAPkQswpA4g6gZS0S77dkaaXrllIpTkorVm7UAL7C_9zajv9WKE7Kw&nohtml5=False

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Hey Dick, not a fighter pilot, but...

 

You notice in the video the pilot rolls over inverted when reaching the tops of ridges.  From what I've read, this is done because the human body and airplane are more tolerant of positive g than negative g.  As they crest a ridge, if they nose over they can't pull as much g and they end up gaining altitude over the terrain on the back side of the hill.  By rolling inverted, they can pull harder and keep the same distance to terrain, which is a big deal when you're trying to avoid radar and anti-aircraft fire down low.

 

It's explained at about 2:50 in this video:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eda2LTRA1UU

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Hi Andy.  Super cool video.  Notice Earnhardt actually ducked his head down when the pilot inverted just feet above the ground.  He did really well with the G's and the rolls.  I'd have had my eyes rolled up and be trying to find the bag.  :fainting-1344:

Still wondering about the casual "look aways" by the pilot in 1st video.  He seemed like he was just out for a Sunday drive with the windows rolled down!

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The helmets have heads up displays, which provide all of the attitude and speed information on the visor. The second largest danger to low flying are flocks of birds so they must keep their head on a swivel. Obviously the biggest is how hard the ground is!

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The helmets have heads up displays, which provide all of the attitude and speed information on the visor. The second largest danger to low flying are flocks of birds so they must keep their head on a swivel. Obviously the biggest is how hard the ground is!

 

And wires.  Always wires.

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