Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!caen!uwm.edu!lll-winken!sun-barr!newstop!sun!amdcad!amdcad!military From: amichiel@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Allen J Michielsen) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: Can the backseater in f-18's bring it home? Message-ID: <1991Apr23.054212.24886@amd.com> Date: 22 Apr 91 18:04:05 GMT References: <1991Apr18.032319.21395@amd.com> <1991Apr19.071058.14405@amd.com> <1991Apr22.071959.25469@amd.com> Sender: military@amd.com Organization: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY Lines: 27 Approved: military@amd.com From: amichiel@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Allen J Michielsen) henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) writes: >>From: >>the backseater can't 'drive' the plane anyway--he doesn't have the controls >If I recall correctly, one of the minor changes made to the Phantom when the >USAF adopted it was flight controls for the backseater. I think you will find all F4's in service for the U.S. or NATO have dual controls. Further, without finding the written ref's, I believe it's true that only prototypes or thereabouts were made with single controls. The total number was about 12 if I recall. More importantly, while the backseat has a 'set o controls' he doesn't have a full set. He can't select throttle settings over 100% (no afterburner) {but he can deselect afterburners, and once in after he can move within that range}, no flap settings (up or down), no gear control (up or down), and limitations on the ejection system (he can eject himself but not the pilot only or both of them {activate the ejection system}). I also believe that the backseat can- not operate the fuel control system and has different limitations on the radio and intercom than the front seat. -- Al. Michielsen, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Syracuse University InterNet: amichiel@rodan.acs.syr.edu amichiel@sunrise.acs.syr.edu