F-35 Lightning II

F-35 Lightning II

Type	Stealth multirole fighter
Author(s)	Gijs de Rooy, Detlef Faber (FDM), Reece Thomas
FDM	YASim
--aircraft=	F-35A, F-35B, F-35C
Status	Development, not released

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable military strike fighter, a multirole aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air defense missions.

Variants

Currently two variants are being modeled in FlightGear: the B and C. The A variant might follow later on.

• F-35A: is the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant intended for the US Air Force and other air forces. It is the smallest, lightest F-35 version and is the only variant equipped with an internal cannon.
• F-35B: is the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the aircraft. Similar in size to the A variant, the B sacrifices some fuel volume to make room for the vertical flight system. Takeoffs and landing with vertical flight system are by far the riskiest, and in the end, a decisive factor in design.
• F-35C: carrier variant will have a larger, folding wing and larger control surfaces for improved low-speed control, and stronger landing gear for the stresses of carrier landings. The larger wing area allows for decreased landing speed and increased range and payload.

Aircraft help

Key	Function
C	Open/close canopy
F	Fold/unfold wings (F-35B)
m/M	Rotate nozzle

Takeoff

Carrier takeoff

A F-35C parked with folded wings at the Nimitz carrier.

1. Taxi to the catapult.
2. Engage the plane to the catapult and unfold the wings.
3. Lower your flaps and apply full throttle.
4. Release your parking brakes and release the catapult.

Vertical takeoff

1. Rotate the nozzle downwards to 90 degrees (hold M).
2. Slowly increase throttle. At about 85%, the plane will start to rise.
3. Pull your stick (elevators) to pitch the nose up.
4. At about 200 ft you can slowly rotate the nozzle to 0 degrees to continue in horizontal flight.

Landing

Carrier landing

1. Lower your hook and landing gear.
2. Apply full throttle, ready to pull up and perform a go around when you miss the wires.
3. Immediately as you feel you've catched a wire, set throttle to idle.

Vertical landing

1. Slow the plane down using your flaps and speedbrakes.
2. Rotate the nozzle to it's max (95 degrees) to slow down even more.
3. To descend, decrease throttle. Keep your hand on the handle, ready to increase to max.
4. At ca. 25-50 ft, increase throttle to max, for a soft touchdown.
5. Immediately after touchdown, decrease throttle to idle.