I almost fired up a real F-16c tonight

[TulsA-10]

My friend is an mp for the 138th fw here in tulsa and gave me an my 16 month old boy a tour. We got to climb in an almost flight ready f-16c. This was my first time in an f-16 and all i can say is wow.. when you look over your right and left shoulder and see those wings. The boy loved it and i had a hard time stoping him from jamming the ufc to death.. It took eveything i had to stop myself from pulling the pins and dropping the canopy and starting it up..lol

 

My heart was pounding just sitting in it knowing you have so much power right at your finger tips..

Edited August 25, 2011 by TulsA-10

[mvsgas]

My friend is an mp for the 138th fw here and tulsa and gave me an my 16 month old boy a tour. We got to climb in an almost flight ready f-16c. This was my first time in an f-16 and all i can say is wow.. when you look over your right and left shoulder and see those wings. The boy loved it and i had a hard time stoping him from jamming the ufc to death.. It took eveything i had to stop myself from pulling the pins and dropping the canopy and starting it up..lol

 

My heart was pounding just sitting in it knowing you have so much power right at your finger tips..

 

He is a MP? What do you mean almost flight ready?

[Cali]

I'm guessing he mean military police, but not sure what he means by "almost ready" And how did he almost fire it up? They don't like the word mp anymore, they go by sf (Security police).

[TulsA-10]

I'm guessing he mean military police, but not sure what he means by "almost ready" And how did he almost fire it up? They don't like the word mp anymore, they go by sf (Security police).

 

I was not speaking 100% literal and my friend does not mind mp.. After 20+ years. The aircraft was almost ready to goto the flight line after a few more checks according to the crew chief. I didn't start it but should did want to

[mvsgas]

Ok there was a Crew Chief there. I was just curious as to why an "MP" was opening a cockpit an letting people in. Just curious. Going back to the flight line, so this was in a hangar?

[TulsA-10]

Yes almost ready to move out.. All I'm saying is that it was fun and all most impossible to keep my hands to myself

[mvsgas]

I know man, my intention is not to question your story, I was just curious of the details. I apologies, I do not want to give you the wrong impression. Ejection seats are dangerous, and if your friend was just getting you in the cockpit without someone qualified present he was putting you in danger. The seat has rocket and without a harness, you will only die or get hurt if you were to activate it. Also, if you enter the cockpit without proper training, you can kick many switches and damage components. This happens all the time even with trained crews. Furthermore, if you enter the cockpit with foreign material ( for example change in your pocket) and you lose it in the cockpit, this could be lodge in a place affecting different system, including the performance of the seat, pilot might need that and it would suck if he finds out as he pulls the “D” ring.

[TulsA-10]

I know man, my intention is not to question your story, I was just curious of the details. I apologies, I do not want to give you the wrong impression. Ejection seats are dangerous, and if your friend was just getting you in the cockpit without someone qualified present he was putting you in danger. The seat has rocket and without a harness, you will only die or get hurt if you were to activate it. Also, if you enter the cockpit without proper training, you can kick many switches and damage components. This happens all the time even with trained crews. Furthermore, if you enter the cockpit with foreign material ( for example change in your pocket) and you lose it in the cockpit, this could be lodge in a place affecting different system, including the performance of the seat, pilot might need that and it would suck if he finds out as he pulls the “D” ring.

 

No problem.. The safety pins where installed and I know where the seat arm switch is. I made sure I had no forign objects in my pockets for the reason you mentioned. I was also very mindful of my feet and arms.. Nothing got bumped or flipped. It was great though.. The fighter fit me like a glove. The cheif was suprised to learn I knew a few things about the aircraft plus the cockpit layout.. I said falcon 4 baby..lol

[mvsgas]

:D Good for you man.

[TulsA-10]

Yeah it was really cool.. Going back next month.

[mvsgas]

Sorry man, how would you start the jet? I'm just curious what people learn from Falcon. I haven't played in a while.

[TulsA-10]

The big red easy button..lol check YouTube for refresher.. Sorry I don't want to type the entire checklist

 

Falcon 4, plus other f-16 sims like fsx and x-plane

[mvsgas]

Ok man, I will the the T-handle (pump handle)

[nscode]

That is why I like sitting in an F-16 ejection seat AFTER it was ejected... nice and safe ;)

[TulsA-10]

That is why I like sitting in an F-16 ejection seat AFTER it was ejected... nice and safe ;)

 

I never really do everything safe.. I race supermoto, skydive, and a mess of other life threatening things.. You can guess how much my life insurance premium is..lol

[Snoopy]

So you know where the pins go but did you check the Battery Indicator pin to see if it was exposed? No matter what if the battery pin is exposed (some have been modified to just an indicator) the seat is hot, pins installed or not.

 

Glad a crew chief was present, Security Forces is not authorized to go up to a jet and open it up, they aren't qualified. All they are qualified to do is sit in a car (or truck) and watch them to make sure no one steals them.

 

I'm sure you know this but remember a live jet is not a toy. A lot can (and will) go wrong, people are hurt on the line every day, people who have worked it for years.

 

And good luck starting the jet...did you have external air and power applied? Not in the hanger you didn't (that and a crew chief, a good one always) wouldn't let a civilian in the pit with those items hooked up and running.

 

Sorry if I sound like an a*s but I don't take actions on the flight line lightly, seen to many people, experienced people, brain dumb and get majorly injured. And if you got hurt it would be on the cop and crew chief not you. Their careers would be over. Honestly they shouldn’t have let you sit in the jet. Even maintainers aren’t authorized (technically) to sit in the pit until they’ve gone through EGRESS training.

[Cali]

Paul, The battery pin check isn't in the TO anymore and haven't been for over a year. Also you don't need ext power or air connected to the 16. And yes they can get in serious trouble if you were caught in the seat without training. However, at airshows they allow this.

 

mvsgas missed this one I think, if you you where in a hanger being in strapped in the seat wouldn't make a difference, death would still happen.

[TulsA-10]

Paul, The battery pin check isn't in the TO anymore and haven't been for over a year. Also you don't need ext power or air connected to the 16. And yes they can get in serious trouble if you were caught in the seat without training. However, at airshows they allow this.

 

mvsgas missed this one I think, if you you where in a hanger being in strapped in the seat wouldn't make a difference, death would still happen.

 

Yup i checked and the battery pin and was not installed. I am also aware that even with the pins installed the seat is still hot and murphy is always on duty. No i am not not egress qualified but they let me do it anyway. I knew the risks and took it anyway. My friend may be a cop so to speak but he is really good friends with the top brass on base and they didn't mind me being in the jet. The chief gave me the run down before hand and it was not an issue.

 

I'm glad Cali made the point about open cockpits at airshows. Unless they remove the rocket motor before the show.. their was no difference in my case and yes a jet is not a toy. You could not even tell i was in it. I didn't mash the rudder pedals or jerk on the hotas.. but i really wanted to..lol

Edited August 26, 2011 by TulsA-10

[mvsgas]

Yup i checked and the battery pin and was not installed. I am also aware that even with the pins installed the seat is still hot and murphy is always on duty. No i am not not egress qualified but they let me do it anyway. I knew the risks and took it anyway. My friend may be a cop so to speak but he is really good friends with the top brass on base and they didn't mind me being in the jet. The chief gave me the run down before hand and it was not an issue.

 

I'm glad Cali made the point about open cockpits at airshows. Unless they remove the rocket motor before the show.. their was no difference in my case and yes a jet is not a toy. You could not even tell i was in it. I didn't mash the rudder pedals or jerk on the hotas.. but i really wanted to..lol

 

Tulsa,

If I may, humor me for a sec. First, thanks for your patience, I do not want you to feel like we are picking on you. The reason for my concern ( please bare with me, I'm long winded and I can't spell ) is that if something were to happen to you ( whether you were aware of the risk or not) it becomes the Crew Chief and your friends responsibility. Not to mention the base, the wing, the squadron, the unit, the ANG and the USAF itself will be under scrutiny. It would be all over the news, how we allowed a civilian to get hurt ( sorry, you never specified if you were in the service). I have been in many bases were we do so many things for the community and that never make it to the news. We may visit orphanages, help in homeless shelters, etc and that will never get to the news, nobody will know. Let one civilian get hurt in an aircraft, those guys will be charge with so many violations. I do not say this to scare you, simply to explain my reaction in hope that you understand and do not feel as if I'm accosting you, not my intention.

 

Again, not trying to troll your thread, trying to explain my reply.

 

Edit:

As for the airshows

Opening the canopy, although frowned upon, does not put you on any danger. Also, there are way to safe the seat without removing the rocket. They just need to disconnect some of the Detonation Transfer assemblies, this prevents the sequence to happen. This has to happen so when they do things like, "Pilot for a day" for they Make a wish foundation, the kids can sit in the cockpit safely.

Edited August 26, 2011 by mvsgas

[Snoopy]

Paul, The battery pin check isn't in the TO anymore and haven't been for over a year. Also you don't need ext power or air connected to the 16. And yes they can get in serious trouble if you were caught in the seat without training. However, at airshows they allow this.

 

mvsgas missed this one I think, if you you where in a hanger being in strapped in the seat wouldn't make a difference, death would still happen.

 

JFS right, forget about that :)

 

Wasn't talking about the actual battery pin for the ACFT (heck, I don't even know if the 16 has a battery pin). I was talking about the battery sequiencer indicator (or pin on older seats).

[mvsgas]

JFS right, forget about that :)

 

Wasn't talking about the actual battery pin for the ACFT (heck, I don't even know if the 16 has a battery pin). I was talking about the battery sequiencer indicator (or pin on older seats).

 

We don't have battery pin, that is only for aircraft were you can only tell speed with a calendar :smartass: We only need one engine on real aircraft :D. Sorry been drinking

[Cali]

JFS right, forget about that :)

 

Wasn't talking about the actual battery pin for the ACFT (heck, I don't even know if the 16 has a battery pin). I was talking about the battery sequiencer indicator (or pin on older seats).

 

I was talking about the pin on the seat also, they removed that from the TO years ago on the F-16. Just to make sure we are talking about the same thing, the white pin on the right side of the seat...right? Even after they removed it, I still checked it before I got in until I PCS to working on the BUFF. I'd pack my stuff tomorrow and head back to fighters in a heartbeat!

 

Yes, the JFS starts the 16.

[mvsgas]

Let me know, i can explain the complete process if you guys want to.

[Snoopy]

I was talking about the pin on the seat also, they removed that from the TO years ago on the F-16. Just to make sure we are talking about the same thing, the white pin on the right side of the seat...right? Even after they removed it, I still checked it before I got in until I PCS to working on the BUFF. I'd pack my stuff tomorrow and head back to fighters in a heartbeat!

 

Yes, the JFS starts the 16.

 

We're talking the same thing, we don't have the pin on our ACESII anymore but there is an indicator located where the pin would pop out we have to check.

 

I thought the 16 had a JFS, I've never worked them so I wasn't sure. Worked around them for 4 years but never saw one started up without external air and power, how often do they use the JFS. When I worked 15s we used the JFS all the time.

[mvsgas]

We use JFS all the time. No other way to start them. You can do a low power check on GE engines, but still need JFS to turn engine. there is no other way to turn the engine. Engine spins by PTO shaft from Accessory Drive Gearbox ( ADG )...

 

Placing power switch to "main power" allows 28v DC to power essential buses and Diagnostic Engine Start System Controller (DESSC). Placing JFS switch to start one or two sends hydraulic pressure through start manifold from JFS/emer brake accum into hydraulic start motor, which spins JFS side of the ADG ( spinning JFS and fuel controller) JFS light should come on within 30 sec. Max RPM 28% + or - 3. At 20 % Sec light goes out... it should. Over the horn ( throttle to idle). 10 Sec to light off or 15 if fuel maint have been performed. Hyd/oil press light goes out at 20 psid, not before 15% rpm. 54 % JFS off, 58% Stand by gen light off, 60 % eng light off. Main gen light 5 to 10 sec after stand by gen light goes off. If not oil indication by idle, discontinue start. Oil may peg for up to 2 min on cold days.check parameters. Oill 15-35, PPH or fuel flow 700-1700, Hyd 2850-3250, FTIT 650 max at idle (935 max at start, give or take :D) RPM 62-80, nozzle 94-106.. This covers only one engine type.

 

F-16 can and has used F100-PW-200/220/229 and F110-GE-100/129/132. Many details omitted.

Edited August 26, 2011 by mvsgas