F35 flies this week?

[Guest ShortThrow]

Last week I read THIS news article and was wondering if any of you had any info on it; or if you know if it actually did happen today :confused:

[Guest cguarino]

I'm at Carswell and I didn't see it. Doesn't mean it didn't happen but usually you hear about things like that.

[Guest cbire880]

Didn't happen Monday, but LM plans to fly this week at some point.

[Coasta]

"At a projected $276.5 billion..."

Unpack your bags ladies and gentlemen. No one is PCSing for 10 years. Nyuk nyuk nyuk!

[Guest proudpapa]

It did medium speed taxi on Monday and this morning. We can see it on a live webcam in the run station now & it looks like it's getting ready to go out for a high speed run now.

The weather's good, but probably won't lift off until later this week. Being very careful; real important first flight, don't you know!

[Stuck]

No civilian link to that webcam, then eh?

[Guest oliwoody]

No HUD? What is the rationale behind that?

[Disregard]

Originally posted by fusion:

No HUD? What is the rationale behind that?

HMD (Helmet Mounted Display)

[Guest dschmitz]

okay, sorry to seem dumb, but what was all that footage that's been on history channel and sorts. I always thought they had already test flown the F-35 because of all the inflight video. I'm confused

[JS]

Probably just the prototype.

[Guest proudpapa]

Sorry, Stuck, it's only on our "intranet". Not much to see, just a high angle view of the run station. I understand that the flight itself will be delay-webcasted & released pretty quickly.

Yea, SB, as JS says we've only flown the prototypes. This one's the first of the development planes.

The hi-speed taxi completed yesterday. Rumor is a go for Thursday at 9 am, so keep an eye out Bear.

[Guest proudpapa]

Here's a public site with press release info & a picture. It says there will be more info and pictures posted after the flight.

[Clayton Bigsby]

I've seen a couple pics in Aviation Week and other places, showing the canopy opened forward. Is it forward-hinging?

[Guest proudpapa]

Yes, it is.... although the prototypes hinged on the side. I couldn't find any releasable pictures with the canopy open. Even if I could figure out how to "screen grab" the webcam image, I probably shouldn't post it.

[Clayton Bigsby]

googled this one...some japanese or asian site

kinda wierd.

[ 13. December 2006, 14:28: Message edited by: Jumper Bones ]

[Guest proudpapa]

New intel. This morning's flight is scrubbed. They're fitting a new air data probe & will probably make another taxi run today. Current rumor for 1st flight is @ 1:00 (13:00 MIL) Friday.

[Guest ShortThrow]

gah!

[BADFNZ]

Is it really at 1? I was out there today trying to see the high speed taxi and a couple guys told me the flight was scheduled for Friday morning at 9am. This was at about 2pm today. Has it changed since then? I'd like to know because I'm going to take off work for this.

[Guest proudpapa]

Yea. It's been changed to 9am. Comm is very weak on this. Typical.

[ 15. December 2006, 07:25: Message edited by: proudpapa ]

[Guest proudpapa]

Webcam shows Beasley (test pilot) at the jet, suited up, getting pictures made with dignitaries, talking with chase pilots, etc. There’s what looks like a news camera & he’s being interviewed. I guess he’ll be climbing in soon to head out for the early part of the (currently) advertised 9:00 to 15:00 flight window. Might be time to mosey out to the flightline, T.Bear.

[Guest proudpapa]

As I understand it, there will be 3 chase planes, 2 F-16's & 1 F-18. The profile is for a 1-hr flight, speeds to 0.7M, AOA's to 15 deg, alt to 25K, and gear cycling.

[Guest proudpapa]

Weather hold. O'cast, haze/fog viz 0.8 mi. Should burn off pretty quickly.

[Guest proudpapa]

Now planning 12:30-12:45 CST

[Guest ShortThrow]

someone sneak a video camera in....

[ 15. December 2006, 13:47: Message edited by: Tertle ]

[Guest proudpapa]

Gone & returned. 35 min flight... Looked good!

I'll try to find the webcast when it's released.