Navair skipper soars in super hornet - Brief Article

0 Comments | Naval Aviation News, Jan, 2002 | by Denise Deon

VAdm. Joe Dyer, Commander Naval Air Systems Command, NAS Patuxent River, Md., took his first flight in an F/A-18F Super Hornet. Although VAdm. Dyer has considerable experience in the original Hornet, and his efforts supported developing the Super Hornet, he had never flown in the newer aircraft. On the eventful day, the admiral flew with test pilot LCdr. Gordon Cross, flying offensive and defensive maneuvers, putting the jet in pirouettes and high alpha, low-speed moves and other exercises.

After his debrief, VAdm. Dyer spoke candidly about his experience. He was amazed at the combination of maneuvering performance and harmony of the aircraft's flight controls, engines and basic aerodynamics. "You can safely and aggressively fly this aircraft throughout its allowable performance envelope," he said. "You can see where the Super Hornet, plus the AIM-9X [Sidewinder missile] and other weapon systems, raises the ante in terms of air combat."