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F-16XL ship #1 (#849) takes off for first flight of the Digital Flight Control System (DFCS) F-16XL ship #1 (#849) takes off for first flight of the Digital Flight Control System (DFCS)

Photo Number: EC97-44354-1
Photo Date: 16 Dec 1997

Formats: 515x480 JPEG Image (69 KBytes)
1099x1024 JPEG Image (351 KBytes)
3000x2793 JPEG Image (4,061 KBytes)

Description: The F-16XL #1 (NASA 849) takes off for the first flight of the Digital Flight Control System (DFCS) on December 16, 1997. Like most first flight, the DFCS required months of preparations. During July 1997, crews worked on the engine, cockpit, canopy, seat, and instrumentation. By late August, the aircraft began combined systems tests and a flight readiness review. Although the Air Force Safety Review Board (AFSRB)- a group that provided double checks on all flight operations - approved the program in late November 1997, a problem with the aircraft flight computer delayed the functional check flight until mid-December.

Keywords: F-16XL Ship #1 Images


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