Originally Posted By: billt460
I read somewhere that their planes are set up for flying with the pilots having to resist a lot of forward pressure constantly being applied on the stick. Does anyone know the reason for that? This is all I could find.
"“Springs” refers to the mechanical device that Blue Angels jets have attached to the control stick that creates 7 pounds of forward pressure, which allows pilots more positive control and allows them to fly smoother."
http://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/h...o-super-hornets
The spring adds about 30# of force to the stick, pulling it forward. The Blues feel that the constant pull allows more precise control of pitch.
The pilots lift weights every day and run every day. Cardio workouts to sustain the level of effort and strength training to handle both the stick forces and G forces. They fly without G-suits, as their stick arm (right arm) rests on their right thigh. The inflation/deflation of the G suit is thought to move the fulcrum on which they move the stick and degrade precision.
I don't agree with the last point, having flown a lot of formation, and having flown the F/A-18, but it is their position that it improves precision.
Flying without a G suit in a 7.5G airplane has also killed some of the Blue Angel pilots, including a friend named Kevin Colling.
What these guys do is tremendously challenging. They do it incredibly well.
But it is not without risk. .