General Dynamics F-16 Falcon

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: General Dynamics Model: F-16 Nickname: Falcon or Fighting Falcon
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Tactical Jet
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Single Engine Land
> Engine Description: Single jet

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 10/30/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 4.3
> Number of Times Flown: 3
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: NF-16 Vista, F-16 various blocks & models, X-62

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 54
> Date First Flown: 4/17/1989
> Location First Flown: Edwards AFB, CA (KEDW)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: USAF Test Pilot School (USAFTPS), Balwin

Recollections: This is the USAF’s front-line small fighter and is a main-stay of the USAF Test Pilot School’s stable.  I first flew it as a Navy IP during a field trip to Edwards AFB.  Got to fly it two more times, once more in a “stock” F-16 and then–to evaluate it for use in the USNTPS curriculum–the one-of-a-kind “Vista” aircraft, owned at that time by the Calspan Corporation (see also my recounting of the VSS Learjet elsewhere on this website).

My overall impression of the F-16 is that it’s also an easy airplane to fly, it “feels better” than the F-18 airborne but it’s much harder to land well.  The airplane, during landing, likes to “skip” (remember, as a USAF airplane, you flare to land it) and there’s something going on laterally (it takes some work to not dance a bit in roll).  

My flight in the VISTA was a highlight.  I flew with Jeff Peer, who is one of the best test pilots I’ve ever known, for sure the nicest guy, and someone who–if you can get him to tell it–has the BEST STORY (just ask him about “waking up on the wrong side of the bed” one day).  The CALSPAN and USAFTPS really got it right when they cooperatively developed VISTA and, in the long run, it’s proven it’s usefulness not just as a school airplane, but for research and development as well.