F-35 Joint Strike Fighter News, Videos and pics Thread

[plawolf]

BTW the article also said that since last month pilots shouldn't weight more than 63 KG, I suppose the translation of 120 lbs, because of limitations of the ejection seat. Any confirmation?

Surely not? Such a weight limitation would be unattainable for all but female pilots (probably not even them when you consider all the gear pilots wear will add up to at least 5-10 kilos by itself).

Any average height male would have to be severely underweight to weight that little, and fighter pilots are typically going to be average or even above average weight on account of all the muscle mass they need to handle regular 9G manoeuvres.

 

[Jeff Head]

...the article also said that since last month pilots shouldn't weight more than 63 KG, I suppose the translation of 120 lbs, because of limitations of the ejection seat. Any confirmation?

Well, delft, we can use our own eyes and logic to put that assertion absolutely to rest.

We have over 140 aircraft already flying. I have met pilots myself (last year at Mountain Home AFB) and I can promise you, those two guys were 6ft tall and has to weigh in at 180lbs or more.

We have MANY pictures of these pilots...it is easy to find them...you look at them and tell me that such a ridiculous assertion is accurate or not.

For example:

US Pilots



UK Pilot



Australian Pilots



Pilot at Mountain Home AFB. Those guys are all right at my own height. I had just stood next to them. I am 6ft and 225 lbs. That pilot was lighter than I, but I bet he weighed 180 lbs.

 

[delft]

Surely not? Such a weight limitation would be unattainable for all but female pilots (probably not even them when you consider all the gear pilots wear will add up to at least 5-10 kilos by itself).

Any average height male would have to be severely underweight to weight that little, and fighter pilots are typically going to be average or even above average weight on account of all the muscle mass they need to handle regular 9G manoeuvres.

Just what my wife remarked. That's why I asked if anyone had confirmation of this remarkable news. My own weight is a modest 75 kg.

 

[Air Force Brat]

Just what my wife remarked. That's why I asked if anyone had confirmation of this remarkable news. My own weight is a modest 75 kg.

Always good, (well, ,most always?) to listen to your wifey, how much is 75 kg? in good ole pounds?

 

[Brumby]

Bogdan Denies Excessive Risk To Most F-35 Pilots

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Bogdan went on to lay out the probability of neck injury for F-35 pilots in different weight classes. A pilot who weighs less than 136 pounds has a one in 50,000 chance of neck injury from an ejection, whereas one between 136 and 165 pounds has a one in 200,000 chance of incurring the same damage, he told the House panel.

This issue is clearly overblown when you consider the probabilities and put it in context.
There is one in 200,000 chance of incurring some damage in an ejection. If you overlay the probability of requiring an ejection and the number of F-35 pilots in that weight range, you probably end up with a lower probability than WW3 starting.
There must be other more important things to do like getting the 2016 budget bill through the system.

 

[tphuang]

On the topic of Canada not purchasing F-35, my personal opinion is that they will eventually pick F-35 when all is said and done. The Liberal party is not an extreme left party that's looking to short change the military. They basically have the choice of either buying new F-35 or super hornet in the end. And I think once the new government does its assessment, it will come to the conclusion that F-35 is the answer. After all, it was liberal party originally that decided to participate in JSF project.

 

[delft]

Always good, (well, ,most always?) to listen to your wifey, how much is 75 kg? in good ole pounds?

About 165#, calculated in my head.

 

[Jeff Head]

Always good, (well, ,most always?) to listen to your wifey, how much is 75 kg? in good ole pounds?

2.2 lbs to the kg.

That equals 2.2 x 75=150+15=165 lbs.

 

[delft]

2.2 lbs to the kg.

That equals 2.2 x 75=150+15=165 lbs.

Yes, but to be precise I lb = 0.4536 kg. Precision is not warranted because my weight has been about 75 kg, plus or minus 2 kg for the last fifty years. And I do not weight myself every year.
BTW A few hours ago I saw an article in WaPo about the terrible danger to pilots weighting below 136# when ejecting from F-35.

 

[Air Force Brat]

On the topic of Canada not purchasing F-35, my personal opinion is that they will eventually pick F-35 when all is said and done. The Liberal party is not an extreme left party that's looking to short change the military. They basically have the choice of either buying new F-35 or super hornet in the end. And I think once the new government does its assessment, it will come to the conclusion that F-35 is the answer. After all, it was liberal party originally that decided to participate in JSF project.

I really hope you are right, but didn't Trudeau promise to axe the F-35??? so I'm not gonna bet my last Benjamin? I really think Canada is playing some game to distance themselves from the US, "Rafael" anyone???