From: obrien@netcom.com (Robert O'Brien)
Subject: Re: F-16 flight characteristics
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 08:08:35 GMT

In article <31238@nntp_server.ems.cdc.com> tnielsen@ems.cdc.com writes:
>In article <BzBA1v.1q5@law7.DaytonOH.NCR.COM>, execu!dont@uunet.UU.NET (Don Thompson) writes:
>|> 
>|> From execu!dont@uunet.UU.NET (Don Thompson)
>|> 
>|> 
>|> 	There are several questions concerning the F-16:
>|> 
>|> 	1. What are it's stability characteristics? Is a fly-by-wire
>|> 	   system required to maintain control or is it a value added package?

Absolutely required.  'Relaxed' static stability means, by some people's
standards, that it can't fly.  In a _total_ flight control failure, the pilot
knows to grab the handle between his legs and yank.  (eject)
The advantages include that, like the X-29, an F-16 has to be constantly
restrained from making violent manouvers, so when one lets it, it 
springs like a tiger.  And don't let anyone tell you the F-16 was *first*
with fly-by-wire without some serious qualifying.  The Canadian CF-105
was many years earlier, and I think there's a Saab that flew first as well.

>|> 
>|> 	2. In the event of a flame out and subsequent failure to restart,
>|> 	   what emergeny electrical power provisions are there?
>|> 
>There are three generators on the F16, two are powered from the engine,
>the third is an auxillary power unit.

True, but does not answer the question.  Battery power should last for at least
half an hour, depending on what systems are used.  I once spent a little
while talking with a pilot named Vince, who was flying one of the very
first GE-engined birds when a total oil failure (caused by a maintenence
error) ocurred.  Vince made a great engineless descent, approach, and
landing at O'Hare in Chicago.  I believe he had to fly for over twenty
minutes on battery power.  No one would have blamed him had he found a safe
place to pancake it and punched out.  There were many congratulations and
such for what he did, and no question he was in control the whole time. 

It's called "The Electric Jet" for good reason, and what Vince did has
been recognized as going a _long_ way toward reassuring pilots that
they don't have to punch out with the first failure light.

Actually, I think there was only one case of a guy who punched out of
an F-16 that was almost certainly fully recoverable.  I hesitate to
say he "panicked" but that may be the case. 


>|> 	3. If there is APU, what fuel is used to power it?
>|> 
>The APU is powered by hydrozine (sp?). It can provide about 15 minutes 
>of power to critical electrical systems. I don't know much about 
>hydrozine, except that extreme caution seems to be used when 
>refueling the hydrozine.

Hydrazine fuel is extremely volatile, even, I believe, hypergolic. 
I think that if the tank is full (the APU was not used to start) then
there's up to 20 minutes worth.
>
>|> 	If you have some authoritative sources of information that answers
>|> these questions, we would much appreciate your response.
>
>I am familiar with the electrical systems on the F16, but I don't
>know much about it's flight capabilities. You can email me, but I don't read
>the pc.games newsgroup.
>

I am somewhat familiar with the F-16 overall, having worked for General
Dynamics' Fort Worth Division from 1982-1989.  Incidentally, my friends
there now work for Lockheed - the division was sold about a week ago, so
I guess the F-22 is now the "Lockheed/Boeing/Lockheed F-22" :-} :-}

I read c.s.i.p.g regularly, but use a killfile heavily and usually don't
have time to skim headings like tonight. You could email me with F-16 and
F-111 questions and I'd post answers if I have time (and answers).  
You could even ask me A-12 questions, but I'd have to ignore them ;-) ;-)

	Bob
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games