Is flying an unknown aircraft as easy as driving a new car for experienced fighter pilots?
2007-09-10 05:22:45 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Mitchell Gant did it in "Firefox" !
If the pilot is competent and has enough preflight instructions, that is possible. Test pilots fly "unknown" aircraft and most of them master them effortlessly (Even in the days before there were simulators). During evaluations, many airforce pilots "jump" into MiGs or Sukhois and fly them.
If you intended movie scenes where the bad guys are shooting, then no. Good pre-flight instructions and operations assistance would be needed.
2007-09-10 16:55:02 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd have to say that it would be too difficult for most pilots. The take off speed, Vme, Vso speeds etc would be too difficult without a proper briefing as the situation you have discribed to figure out all while trying to to MPH to KPH and feet to meter conversions. Not to mention systems differences, avionics locations etc. I've heard of fellow pilots being asked to fly planes a step below thier current aircraft and not remembering the correct starting procedure even though they have logged many hours in that type.
A highly skilled pilot would be fine. Most pilots though have a hard enough time transitioning from one western make to another. For example (I'm nowhere near a skilled fighter pilot mind you), I can make a Cessna tap dance in a component max crosswind but put me left seat in any Piper and you're in for a harsh landing in the best of conditions.
All depends on the pilot. No though it isn't like taking a Ford Focus out for a spin then driving a Toyota Carolla. MUCH MUCH different!
2007-09-12 19:45:06 · answer #2 · answered by Kevin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not easily. A good pilot understands that different aircraft behave differently.even similair models of the same aircraft behave differently, granted it will not take them weeks to learn how to fly it, but they must be tought about the different systems the aircraft has. for example the cessna 172 sp has fixed gear and a fixed pitch propeller, a beech baron has retractable gear and a variable pitch propeller. though the same basic principles for flight are the same, different aircraft require different educations. it normally will take about 5-10 hours of flight time (not hobbs time, but actual in air time) to become aquainted with the aircraft. now any "pilot" who claims that if you toss them the keys they could fly anything, is tragically mistaken and i fear the safety of themselves and those around them could be in jeperody. a mig for example uses two control planes to steer the aircraft, first you have a forward and an aft aileron system, the F/A 22 does not have that system and thus will not handle the same as the mig
2007-09-10 19:19:52 · answer #3 · answered by amshamah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The principles of flight are all the same no matter what you fly.
If you can figure out how to start the sucker, sure, most pilots can fly it. But you'd probably crash when you tried to land if you've never flown a fighter. And you probably wouldn't fly it very well.
There is a fighter plane training school in Santa Fe, New Mexico that trains anyone and also gives rides.
But don't call and ask them that question, they may call homeland security on you.
2007-09-10 22:22:43 · answer #4 · answered by Pilot boy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Each fighter aircraft has its own systems including starting sequences, systems procedures, post start handling, taxying, take off etc. Every aircraft has its own starting accessories and would need competent ground crew to start the engines. So jumping in, throwing a switch and just taking off is pure imagination.
To fly any aircraft you must study properly its systems, be fully aware of its different procedures/systems/sequences/speeds etc. It is nothing like having driven one car you can drive all.
2007-09-10 07:17:31 · answer #5 · answered by al_sheda 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No pilot would do that. Even for diffrent versions of the same airplane piltos go to diffrence clases. Pilots need to know aircraft systems, limitations proper tecniques etc.
2007-09-10 05:28:05 · answer #6 · answered by Charles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
John B is right. Provided that they could get the plane's systems going, an experienced pilot should be able to fly almost anything, throttle and stick.
2007-09-10 06:37:45 · answer #7 · answered by Nitro Pipes 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
In addition to knowing the systems, the pilot must know how to read Cyrillic.
2007-09-10 11:42:16 · answer #8 · answered by eferrell01 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Gotta side with J.B. on this one. An airplane is an airplane is an airplane. They all fly alike. If you can get it started, you can fly it.
2007-09-10 16:49:28 · answer #9 · answered by grumpy geezer 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Show me how to start it. I can fly it.
2007-09-10 05:52:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋