Like I said, there are a few exceptions!
Originally Posted by
WARich
What was the original reason for this thread? It's been lost in translation.
I can't remember either. I think that the T38 driver was saying F16s have good visibility, better than a cessna. I thought the aerodynamics tanget was informative in explaining the nose down approach of a cessna to the flat to nose-up approach of an F16 (AOA ~11 deg). I did get out my old copies of aeronautics books from the 1980's which was great to read through between flights this weekend.
I'd forgotten how good the Naval text is, here is a quote again that directly addresses FDXLAG's points, from "Specific Problems of Flying"
Of course, the ability of the powerplant to produce
rapid changes in thrust will affect the specific technique to be
used. If the powerplant is not capable of producing immediate
controlled changes in thrust,
the operating technique must account for this
deficiency. It is most desirable that the power-
plant be capable of effecting rapid changes in
thrust to allow precise control of the airplane
during approach...
The technique required for the landing will be determined in great
part by the aerodynamic characteristics of the airplane.
mainly commenting on the approach path.
Particularly the book does a great job of explaining the everyday and practical aspects of flight with a minimum of straightforward advanced-high-school level math, which was a task NOT well accomplished by most collegiate engineering textbooks, as many of you would also testify.
