Aerobatics

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Sharpe

Aerobatics

Post by Sharpe »

During EFT#3 pilots will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of the following aerobatic manoeuvres. The following information is drawn entirely from the ‘Flying Operations F16 Combat Aircraft Fundamentals’ document.

Loop
At 450 KCAS minimum, above 5000' AGL (10,000' AGL recommended), with MIL power, begin a wings level, 4 - 5 G pull. As airspeed dissipates across the top, maintain smooth pitch rate. The AOA should be 13º - 15º (at 14º AOA you should feel light buffeting). As the nose comes back through the horizon inverted (approximately 180 - 220 KCAS) and airspeed begins to build, ease off the back pressure and play the G to arrive back in level flight near entry altitude and airspeed. In a tanked F-16B/D, expect to lose 1000' or 50 knots attempting to achieve entry airspeed or altitude, respectively. If AB is used, enter at 350 KCAS minimum. Use sufficient G on the back side of the manoeuvre to preclude excessive airspeed build-up.
See Image of Loop/Immelmann below:
Loop & Immelmann.png
Loop & Immelmann.png (23.67 KiB) Viewed 1129 times


Immelmann
At 450 KCAS minimum, above 5000' AGL (10,000' AGL recommended), with MIL power, begin a wings level, 4 - 5 G pull. As airspeed dissipates across the top, maintain a smooth pitch rate. The AOA should be 13º - 15º (at 14º AOA you should feel light buffeting). As the nose approaches the horizon inverted, unload and roll the aircraft to arrive upright wings level in level flight (FPM on the horizon line). If AB is used, enter at 350 KCAS minimum. Roll out at the top remains the same.
See Image of Loop/Immelmann below:
Loop & Immelmann.png
Loop & Immelmann.png (23.67 KiB) Viewed 1129 times
Split S
Enter at or above 15,000' AGL, between 300 - 350 KCAS, MIL power, level to 10º nose high. Roll unloaded to wings level inverted and smoothly apply full aft stick. Terminate the manoeuvre in straight and level flight above 5000' AGL. Note change in altitude and airspeed.
See Image of Split S below:
Split S.png
Split S.png (15.53 KiB) Viewed 1129 times
Cloverleaf
Pick a point 90º off the nose in the direction of turn. At 450 KCAS minimum, above 5000' AGL, (10,000' AGL recommended), MIL power, begin a wings level 3 - 4 G pull. At approximately 45º nose high, decrease back pressure and start a rolling pull in the direction of the 90º point. The rate of roll should be planned to reach a wings level inverted position with the nose on the horizon at the 90º point (airspeed approximately 200 - 220 KCAS). Continue the manoeuvre as in the backside of a loop, playing the G's to arrive near the entry airspeed and altitude.
See Image of Cloverleaf below:
Cloverleaf.png
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Pitchback
This manoeuvre is a hard, then optimum turn (approximately 13º AOA) beginning with the lift vector above the horizon and ending with it below. Enter above 5,000' AGL at 400 KCAS or higher. Select full AB, roll into 40º - 50º of bank and simultaneously begin a 5 - 7 G climbing turn. After 90º of turn, bank should be approximately 90º. After 180º of turn, it should be 135º. At this point, the manoeuvre ends. You should have gained 3000 to 5000' and have a minimum airspeed of 300 KCAS. You may have to reduce G during the manoeuvre to preserve airspeed.
See Image of Pitchback below:
Pitchback.png
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Sliceback
Enter at or above 15,000' AGL, between 350 - 400 KCAS, MIL power. Initially roll into 135º of bank and smoothly increase aft stick as required to maintain 300 - 400 KCAS. The manoeuvre is completed upon roll out in level flight after approximately 180º of turn. The sliceback is a split-S type manoeuvre designed to make a 180º descending turn while minimising turn time and optimising energy state. If speed is above 400 KCAS and a descending turn is required, reduced power and speed brakes may be necessary if minimum turn radius and altitude loss are desired.
See Image of Sliceback below:
Sliceback.png
Sliceback.png (26.11 KiB) Viewed 1114 times

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