Claim: Video clip shows an F-35 executing a vertical flip on takeoff.

FALSE

Examples:

[Collected via e-mail, December 2010]

This guy clearly has brass balls and you know the sailors on the flight deck had a cow when they saw this unfold in front of them. This is an unbelievable! F-35 unintentional loop at takeoff a real “check your laundry” event.

A supremely well-trained US Navy pilot, ice running in his veins instead of blood (AND SCARED SHITLESS!), fully regains control of his $70 million, F-35 joint strike force fighter, after a problematic vertical take-off attempt… Watch as the rear vertical thruster fires to cause the problem.

There’s nothing about this the pilot enjoys. If he could have ejected at 100′ upside down and lived, he would have. Looks like the afterburner kicks in while still vectored for verticaltakeoff. Lockheed would call this a “software malfunction” and do a little more “regressive testing”. This is a good demonstration of power-to-weight ratio of this aircraft! And talk about stability control…

If he didn’t come out of the loop wings-level, it probably would have been bad news; maybe taking some of the carrier with him! Add to this flying through your own exhaust, which can lead to equipment malfunctions, as in “flame out”. The F-35 is single engine aircraft with vertical takeoff/landing capability, but it has the aerodynamics of a Steinway piano at zero airspeed. This is the most unbelievable piece of flying you will ever see in your life.

This Guy deserves a Medal for saving a 70 Million Dollar Aircraft! You’ll watch it at least 2 times!





[Collected via e-mail, June 2009]