F/A-18 Controls Released Departure Recovery Flight Test Evaluation
Abstract
The F/A-18 has had a history of numerous departures from controlled flight during operational fleet use. Several of these departures have resulted in mishaps. The current flight manual procedure requires the pilot to neutralize the control stick for departure recovery, however many F/A-18 departures are characterized by high lateral forces making it difficult to maintain neutral longitudinal and lateral control stick position. Recent mishap investigations have questioned the viability of releasing the control stick as a more effective way of maintaining neutral controls thereby reducing recovery times. The Naval Air Warfare Center--Aircraft Division was tasked by Naval Air Systems Command to determine if releasing the control stick during departure recovery would result in any airplane induced control inputs that would delay recovery. Additionally, from the desire to improve departure awareness of all F/A-18 pilots, an assessment was made of the suitability of the test maneuvers for inclusion into an airborne departure recognition and out-of-control flight training syllabus. Testing was conducted using a fleet representative F/A-18D which did not incorporate any non-production emergency recovery devices (i.e. no spin recovery chute). Test maneuvers included both high and low angle of attack departures up to 0.80 IMN.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA256522
Entities
People
- David L. Prater
- James B. Lackey
- Marc G. Stevens
Organizations
- Naval Air Warfare Center