Watch the video above: an F-35 unintentional loop at takeoff on a US carrier. This pilot clearly has brass balls and you know the sailors on the flight deck had a cow when they saw this unfold right in front of them.
Intentional? Hardly!
An F-35 unintentional loop at takeoff is a real "check your laundry" event. This is unbelievable!
A supremely well-trained US Navy pilot, ice running in his veins, fully regains control of his $70-million-dollar F-35 joint strike force fighter, after a problematic vertical take-off attempt.
Watch as the rear vertical thruster fires to cause the problem.
There's nothing about this event the pilot enjoys. If he could have ejected at 100' upside down and lived, he would have. Looks like the afterburner kicks in while still vectored for vertical takeoff. Lockheed would call this a "software malfunction" and do a little more "regressive testing." It is is a good demonstration of power-to-weight ratio of this particular aircraft. And talk about stability control... Wow!
If he didn't come out of the loop wings-level, it probably would have been bad news; maybe taking some of the carrier and crew with him. Add to this flying through your own exhaust, which can lead to equipment malfunctions, as in "flame out." The F-35 is single engine aircraft with vertical takeoff/landing capability, but it has the aerodynamics of a Steinway piano at zero airspeed. This is the most unbelievable piece of flying you will ever see in your life.
This pilot's coolness saved a 70 million-dollar aircraft! On the other hand, he might not have had time to react to anything except just ride it.
Bet you watch it at least 2 times!
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