The SINGLE engined F-35 is also expected to perform Marine/Naval carrier operations and, VTOL, STOL, and fly reasonably well despite being overweight and under-powered. In fact its flight performance requirements were reduced several times since it could not handle little stuff like rate of climb, turns/G-forces, etc..... I guess thats one way to meet the performance specs, reduce them !

(Written on 21/09/2020)(Permalink)

I've worked in that field since the mid 1980s, as some of the earliest practitioners of '3D CAD' , while there really wasn't much analysis capability like ANSYS around, even then we had the ability to transfer 3D digital data (no 'drawings') to suppliers for prototyping. Now and for the past couple decades everything is modeled and much of it analyzed, before anything is built.

(Written on 21/09/2020)(Permalink)

I believe from my father a Naval Aviator's comments from many years ago, the real problems occur when government procurement 'experts' try to have a jack of all trades aircraft built for all military branches, including Naval carrier operations. Of course with 'slight modifications'. You end up with an overweight, under-performing (and I refer to its flight characteristics) 'master of none'.

(Written on 21/09/2020)(Permalink)

I cannot remember any designs we copied from either Russia or China, I can remember plenty of the US designs they copied, though...

(Written on 18/09/2020)(Permalink)

"The NGAD, in contrast, was first designed and tested digitally before it was physically built." Not sure on that point, having worked in those industry(s) since the F-22 development in the 80's , everything is mocked up digitally and extensively analyzed and tested before anything is 'physically built'.... Hopefully the NGAD shares more of the F-22's flight characteristics, and none of the F-35's.... For reference, remember the SR-71 was designed in the 50's when most planes had reciprocating engines and a cruise speed of about 250kts....... It flew well beyond mach 3 and 80,000 feet......

(Written on 18/09/2020)(Permalink)

Why were the issues- at least those we are aware of, only with foreign carriers and crews ?

(Written on 18/09/2020)(Permalink)

How does all this happen and why were there no issues with domestically trained and operated flights?

(Written on 18/09/2020)(Permalink)

If it ain't Boeing, I aint going....Tough for a company to compete with a consortium I suppose...

(Written on 18/09/2020)(Permalink)

Its really not a race thing, stupid and selfish comes in all colors....!

(Written on 14/09/2020)(Permalink)

I've read a lot of comments some here and elsewhere on this.... Its likely most if not all airlines will follow suit. If you object to this, and there are airlines that don't require masks, exercise your freedom as a consumer to select one who does not have the requirement. This is not about denying 'freedoms'... Remember when the smoking section was the aft portion of the AC ? I sat one seat from it more than once- and yes I was definitely passively 'smoking' -and nauseous.... That was not their 'right' to exercise a freedom at the rest of our expenses. IF this measure makes flying a tad bit safer from a disease transmission standpoint, and as others have already noted, wiping down the filthy seats, trays, restraints- makes it a bit better for all of us, is it a bad thing ? Do you also object to wearing lap belts when instructed ? Shouldn't you be free to choose not to ? Why not ? I am in perfect health but more than once have come down with really nasty bugs after lengthy layovers a

(Written on 01/05/2020)(Permalink)