This Day in Aviation History
April 20th, 1974
First accidental flight of the Lockheed YF-16 Fighting Falcon.
 
The General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,500 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976. Although no longer being purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are still being built for export customers. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.
 
The Fighting Falcon has key features including a frameless bubble canopy for better visibility, side-mounted control stick to ease control while maneuvering, a seat reclined 30 degrees to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot, and the first use of a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire flight control system helps to make it a nimble aircraft. The F-16 has an internal M61 Vulcan cannon and 11 locations for mounting weapons and other mission equipment….
 
Source:
Wikipedia, General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon: http://gstv.us/1JkR2SE
 
YouTube, Memorable Moment – YF-16 Test Pilot Phil Oestricher :
http://gstv.us/1yIVR8b
 
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Photo from: http://gstv.us/1XHAA6p
 
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