Originally Posted by
Grumble
The 27-29 number on the PLAT came indicates wind speed. Doesn't look like they were doing anymore tha a fast taxi off the end. Even if they were doing 50kts that's less than 80kts of airspeed. Still amazing they saved it. Talk about squeezing every ounce of performance when it counts.
Originally Posted by
galaxy flyer
Grumble,
I'm guessing as it "fell" off the angle, the AOA went from close to zero to very nearly stall (.8-ish) instantly without much aft control movement. The trick, as an observer, is NOT to add much aft stuck and hold what you got until speed comes. Certainly a F-18 dude would have ejected.
GF
Buddy of mine was in a leadership position in the community when it happened. He said it was remarkable airmanship and took some serious cajones to ride it down to ground effect while resisting the temptation to pull back and kill what energy they had. They had to clean salt off the belly after they landed.