Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxor
Wab Not being an aerospace engineer I can't say for certain but judging from looks don't most things "fly" better than the F-4 did/does? It looks like it has very little when it comes to glide ratio and controlability without power.
|
In slow flight, the F-4 is a challenge. Its stall characteristics are brutal and it will flat spin with minimal provocation. An engine out, is more than enough to provoke a flat spin. Thus, speed management is vital. That being said, I liked flying the F-4. It's slow speed control was better than the F-14. No PIO at all. I never was concerned about a ramp strike in the F-4, that was a constant concern in the F-14. At altitude, the F-4 had the power to explore parts of the envelope where test pilots should go on their own. The F-14 does not. Fortunately the overtemp sensor on the F-4's armored windscreen usually kept people out of trouble. (Certain maintenance test pilots, notwithstanding.)
I would call the F-14 more refined than the F-4. The F-18 is just in another league. It's got to be the best flying fighter ever. It is more than a refinement on the F-14. It was coming into the fleet as I was leaving. I never qualed, but I did make it to F-18 maintenance school. It's no wonder the thing is so great. It is built by people who want you to fix it and make it fly again real quick.