JSF test flights

[Woodlouse2002]

After watching a documentary about the JSF competition I couldn't help but notice that the test pilots for both the Boeing project and the Lockheed-Martin were both British. Now I can understand why the Lockheed-Martin aircraft had a British test pilot as they were working closely with BAe on the project. However, the Boeing aircraft was free from any British influence and so there is no reason why a British test pilot should be chosen to fly that particular plane.

My first thoughts were that Britain has the Harrier and so has experiance with STOVL aircraft. However, America also has Harriers and therefore, STOVL experiance.

This means the only conclusion I can come up with is that British pilots are better than their American counterparts and that Boeing and Lockheed simply don't trust their own countrymen in their nice shiney new planes.

Are my thoughts correct? Or is there another reason why British test pilots are the first to fly the JSF?

[Craig.]

its possible they sent out requests to various agencys asking for the best pilot in his or her squad to apply for the position, following various differant tests the best was picked. It may have just been the fact that the british pilots were better on that given day. And i wouldnt put it as a reflection of each countrys pilots as a whole.

[IcedFoxtrotter]

NO! NO! NO! NO!
If you guys start this it will be locked in a matter of seconds because WWIII will break out shortly. >:(

I personaly am aghast and enraged that you would insinuate that Lock'y and Boeing doesn't trust their own American pilots enough to have them test it. >:( >:(

[Saitek]

[quote author=Woodlouse2002

This means the only conclusion I can come up with is that British pilots are better than their American counterparts and that Boeing and Lockheed simply don't trust their own countrymen in their nice shiney new planes.

Are my thoughts correct? Or is there another reason why British test pilots are the first to fly the JSF?[/quote]

Some people are good at cracking jokes. Not the sort of joke that should be seen on an American site though.  ;)Particularly if their are pilots that are quick to the guns, ay IceFoxtrotter?  ;)Pity. Oh well, I think I would agree with 'Woodlouse'.
LOl!
However the saying tis true:
          'Many a true word said in jest.'

Regards,
   Ben

[denishc]

 Funny this topic should come up, I was just thinking of the JSF this morning...

After years of putting up with the trivalities and egos of their fellow European nations, atlease when it comes to the business dealings in aircraft design and production, the Brits have chosen to go with the U.S.  The English are very interested in acquiring the JSF and are seen as the number one export customer for the attack aircraft.  Both design teams knowing of Great Britain's intrest, and looking toward future sales, took English participation in the JSF project very serious.  Even to the point of allowing British pilots to fly the demos and heeding any input they had.

 What surprises me is the choice of the Lockheed design over the Boeing design, atlease as the British are concerned.  One would think the Brits would support the Boeing design, its STOVL system was very much like that used on the Harrier, a system fimilar to the British.  The STOVL system used on the Lockheed design is based on a Russian system, as used on the Yak-141.  I even believe that Russian engineers from the Yakovlev Bureau assisted Lockheed in its development!

[N505AF]

My first thoughts were that Britain has the Harrier and so has experiance with STOVL aircraft. However, America also has Harriers and therefore, STOVL experiance.

The only reason we got the harrier from britain was because there were haveing problems with the aircraft an turned the project over to the U.S.(this is true look it up).  An for the comment about whos pilots are better, were about the same.  I work on aircraft all day an get to see many fighter pilots fly every day.  When your on the same side who cares whos the best.

[Jaffa]

Indeed, I beleive that the Brits got a ride because they are alos potential customers, not necesarily because they are better pilots.  ;)

And that's a silly proposition, Woody, that British pilot are better...

[IcedFoxtrotter]

When your on the same side who cares whos the best.

Very true.

[Ivan]

The brits got the honor of the first ride... perhaps because the marines are too busy with another x-plane?

And for the record... the Yak-141 never got beyond prototype. A Su-35 carries more payload, and the Minsk class got decommisioned. The only thing left is the Kuznetzov class (imagine a slightly smaller Nimitz, with 4 times the amount of defensive weapons), which doesn't need VTOL aircraft

[Scorpiоn]

The only thing that's really bugged me about this thread is this isn't an American site.  It's almost 50/50 American/British with a few others dotting here and there.  I really wish people would stop thinking this is an American site with American this and blah, blah, blah...

[IcedFoxtrotter]

Nobody said anything about that scorp.

The curiosity is why, when the plane is being built in the U.S., as to why its first pilots are brit.

[Scorpiоn]

Not the sort of joke that should be seen on an American site though.

Case closed.

[Smoke2much]

Not the sort of joke that should be seen on an American site though.

This is not an American site.

[ozzy72]

This thread is v.out of order and will now be locked
Racism is NOT tolerated in any way shape or form around here, any more of this will see the offender talking to Pete about being banned!