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The X-35C completed its flight test program with all objectives achieved at NAS Patuxent River, flying at a rate of up to six missions per day. The airplane logged a total of seventy-three flights and fifty-eight hours aloft. “I could tell from the first flight that the X-35C was going to be representative of a very good carrier plane,” said test pilot Joe Sweeney, a former US Navy carrier pilot. “When we began aggressive FCLPs, the aircraft really showed off its superb responsiveness and controllability.” We deliberately forced errors in the glide slope, speed, and line-up, challenging the airplane’s ability to respond, and it performed exceedingly well. I can’t say enough about this engineering and flight test team.” Eight pilots flew the X-35C, which completed 250 FCLPs during testing. |
