Do F-22 and F-35 use force sensing flight sticks (as opposed to flight sticks that actually deflect and sense movement), like F-16?
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
Add a comment
|
2 Answers
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
3
They move, pretty much like an F-16 stick.
From this MIT lecture "F-22 Flight Controls", Lt Col Randy Gordon, F-22 test pilot (from the transcript):
It's a side stick.
Initially it didn't move.
Eventually they decided, I'll put in some deflection.
So I can go a half inch left, a half inch right, about a quarter inch forward, I go about a half inch back because normally I really want to get the nose going this way.
There's some deflection to give you feedback that you've input something on the stick, but not so much deflection that it gets in the way of everything else you're trying to do.
-
$\begingroup$ Thank you for that edit. I was just about to do that. $\endgroup$– WPNSGuyCommented Apr 4, 2021 at 23:03
-
$\begingroup$ AFAIK, the "didn't move" lesson was learned on early F-16. The F-22 stick was movable (but force-sensing) from the beginning. $\endgroup$– ZeusCommented Apr 6, 2021 at 0:25
-
$\begingroup$ Yes. And I believe that is what he is referring to in the presentation. Of course, we'd have to ask him for specifics. $\endgroup$– WPNSGuyCommented Apr 6, 2021 at 1:27
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
5
The F-16 always moved; Deflection was increased when it went into production. The F-22 deflection is about 10 times the F-16. The F-35 is an active stick and can be programmed for resistance and travel.
-
-
$\begingroup$ I played with flight control stick in pre-production F-16 at Eglin AFB in 1980-1981, and as I recall, it did not move. I was told that it was an issue and that they were modifying it to move a small amount to provide feedback to pilot. $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 6 at 3:51
-
$\begingroup$ I worked with the General Dynamics engineer that designed it. I saw it disassembled. I saw the transducers that measure displacement. No strain gages. $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 6 at 22:49
-
$\begingroup$ I defer to your recollection. My comment was based on 50 year old memories and 15-20 minute conversation with AFSC test pilot. Also, there was no power on the jet when I sat in it and played wuth the flight control stick. One clear [related] memory was the Ace bandage he wore on his forearm, that he said helped prevent blood spots on his skin. Not sure if he was pulling my leg, (arm) with that one. $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 7 at 13:11
-
$\begingroup$ It’s a persistent myth. He was adamant about it and showed me the detail drawings and the Acceptance Test Procedures that measured the deflection. It’s a passive stick controller with a coil spring to provide the “feel” resistance. $\endgroup$ Commented Apr 7 at 13:43