In article ,
(MLenoch) wrote:

I hadn't realized that the F/A-18F is currently replacing the the F-14 in fleet
service. Why does the two seater need to replace the F-14? Cannot the single
seat F/A-18E do the same role?

Since the F/A-18F is replacing the F-14, we will be seeing the Hornet at local
airshows instead of the Tomcat for the Navy flight demonstrations. Having seen
the Hornet just this past weekend, the aircraft was flown in the demo with both
seats occupied. I couldn't help but comment about how strong a stomach the
back seater must have. The F/A-18F has a much more robust flight display than
the F-14; the aircraft seemed more agile in the slow speed regime than the
Tomcat. Two maneuvers stood out: the high alpha pitch up, where it suddenly
stopped with the shredding air being easily heard during the pitch up.
Secondly, during a high alpha - slow speed climb out, the Hornet seemed to do a
rudder roll, which almost looked like a light aircraft snap roll. Some recent
publications described the F/A-18E & Fs as being almost departure proof. This
lends itself to some interesting flight display maneuvering.

(More 2 cents, but no politics)
VL

With the arrival of the Super Hornet the Max Gross of the F/A-18 is now
close to that of the F-14A. I don't have my sources here with me but
the F-14 still has a higher T/W ratio than the Super Bug. It was
designed to excel in that regeim and not the slower demo situation.
High alpha pitch up is not a wise manuver in ACM.

--
Dana Miller